India’s inland waterways sector received a significant boost with the unveiling of the ‘Jalvahak’ scheme by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. Designed to promote long-haul cargo movement across National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak), this initiative aims to transform waterways into a sustainable, efficient, and economical mode of transportation. Alongside the launch of this scheme, fixed scheduled cargo services were inaugurated, marking a step toward enhancing logistics and decongesting road and rail networks.
Launch of ‘Jalvahak’ Policy
- Incentivizes long-haul cargo transportation on National Waterways 1, 2, and 16.
- Provides a reimbursement of up to 35% of the operating expenditure incurred by cargo owners.
- Targets distances exceeding 300 km, focusing on bulk and containerized cargo.
- Encourages partnerships with private operators by allowing cargo owners to hire vessels outside government entities like IWAI or ICSL.
- Validity: Initially launched for a three-year period.
Inauguration of Fixed Scheduled Sailing Service
Cargo Ships Launched
- MV AAI
- MV Homi Bhaba
- MV Trishul with Dumb Barges Ajay & Dikhu.
Routes and Transit Times
- NW 1 (Ganga): Fixed timelines for Kolkata-Patna-Varanasi routes.
- Kolkata to Patna: 7 days.
- Patna to Varanasi: 5 days.
- Kolkata to Varanasi: 14 days.
- NW 2 (Brahmaputra) via IBPR:
- Kolkata to Pandu (Guwahati): 18 days.
- Pandu to Kolkata: 15 days.
Economic & Ecological Advantages
- Promotes a sustainable mode of transportation with lower carbon emissions compared to road and rail.
- Reduces logistics costs and boosts trade efficiency.
- Decongests overburdened railways and roadways.
Current Cargo Movements Under Jalvahak
- MV Trishul – Carried 1500 tonnes of cement from Kolkata to Guwahati via IBPR.
- MV Aai – Transported 1000 tonnes of gypsum to Patna.
- MV Homi Bhaba – Delivered 200 tonnes of coal to Varanasi.
Performance Goals
- Target for 2030: 200 million MT of cargo movement.
- Long-term vision for 2047: 500 million MT, contributing significantly to India’s Blue Economy.
- Modal shift objective: 800 million tonne-kilometers with an investment of ₹95.4 crore by 2027.
India’s Inland Waterways: Potential and Challenges
Current Infrastructure
- Total navigable length: 20,236 km.
- Rivers: 17,980 km.
- Canals: 2,256 km.
- India’s cargo movement via waterways remains underutilized compared to nations like the United States, China, and the EU.
Recent Progress
- Growth in cargo volume: From 18.07 million MT (2013-14) to 132.89 million MT (2023-24), a 700% increase.
Challenges
- Limited mechanized craft suitable for inland navigation.
- Need for greater private sector involvement.
- Awareness among cargo owners regarding the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of waterways.
Significance of ‘Jalvahak’ and Fixed Services
- Trade Enhancement: Offers businesses a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative.
- Economic Growth: Revives underutilized waterways in eastern India, including Bengal and the Northeast.
- Community Impact: Improves livelihoods and connectivity for communities along riverine routes.
Leadership Perspectives
- Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal: Emphasized the vision of transformation through transportation and revitalizing inland waterways under PM Modi’s leadership.
- Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur: Highlighted the historic turnaround in logistics movement for Bengal.
- Minister of State for Transportation Daya Shankar Singh: Celebrated the initiative as a pathway to economic prosperity for riverine communities.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | Launch of the ‘Jalvahak’ scheme and Fixed Day Scheduled Service of Cargo Vessels by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. |
| Objective | Promote long-haul cargo movement through National Waterways (NW) 1 (Ganga), NW 2 (Brahmaputra), and NW 16 (Barak) via sustainable and economical means. |
| Key Features of the Scheme | – Incentive for cargo movement via waterways for distances over 300 km.
– Reimbursement of up to 35% of operating expenses for vessel operators. – Encourages the use of private vessels for cargo transportation. – Initially valid for 3 years. |
| Launched Services | Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Services:
– NW 1: Kolkata → Patna → Varanasi → Patna → Kolkata – NW 2: Kolkata → Pandu (Guwahati) via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route |
| Transit Time | – NW 1: Kolkata to Patna: 7 days, Patna to Varanasi: 5 days, Kolkata to Varanasi: 14 days.
– NW 2: Kolkata to Pandu: 18 days, Pandu to Kolkata: 15 days. |
| Flagged-Off Ships | – MV Trishul with two Dumb Barges carrying 1,500 tonnes of cement to Pandu (Guwahati).
– MV AAI carrying 1,000 tonnes of gypsum to Patna. – MV Homi Bhaba carrying 200 tonnes of coal to Varanasi. |
| Expected Benefits | – Boost logistics efficiency, reduce road and railway congestion, and lower transportation costs.
– Facilitate environmental sustainability through eco-friendly waterways. – Support trade by improving confidence in waterway logistics. |
| Investment & Goals | – Target cargo movement: 200 million MT by 2030 and 500 million MT by 2047.
– Modal shift of 800 million tonne-kilometers by 2027 with ₹95.4 crore investment. |
| Significance for India | – Enhanced inland waterways usage, which grew from 18.07 million MT (2013-14) to 132.89 million MT (2023-24).
– India’s navigable waterways span 20,236 km, with 17,980 km comprising rivers and 2,256 km canals. – Underutilized potential compared to global standards (e.g., US, EU, China). |
| Key Stakeholders | – Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).
– Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). – Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a subsidiary of SCI. – Freight forwarders, trade bodies, and bulk cargo companies. |
| Speakers | – Shri Sarbananda Sonowal (Union Minister, MoPSW).
– Shri Shantanu Thakur (MoS, MoPSW). – Shri Daya Shankar Singh (Minister of State for Transportation, UP). – Other dignitaries from IWAI, SCI, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. |
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