Government Introduces ‘Jalvahak’ for Waterway Connectivity

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.