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The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC), during its second meeting held in Kaziranga, Assam, announced a landmark investment of ₹50,000 crore over the next five years to strengthen infrastructure on national waterways. The meeting, organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), saw significant policy announcements to boost inland waterways transportation and promote sustainable growth.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal presided over the event, with participation from various state ministers and officials. Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the event alongside Sonowal. Highlighting the importance of waterways in India’s transport ecosystem, Sonowal emphasised the government’s commitment to reviving and expanding inland water transport to reduce congestion on road and rail networks.

Key Announcements:

• Massive Infrastructure Upgrades: The council outlined plans to invest over ₹23,000 crore for the development of new waterways and green shipping initiatives. Major projects include the construction of 62 new jetties, ship repair facilities at various national waterways, and the deployment of eight amphibian dredgers and four cutter suction dredgers for maintaining fairways.
• Green Shipping Goals: Sonowal announced the launch of 1,000 green vessels over the next five years as part of the government’s focus on environmentally friendly transportation. The initiative aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals.
• Riverine Community Development Scheme: A policy initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of communities along the waterways was unveiled. This scheme includes infrastructure upgrades, trade and tourism promotion, and skill development for coastal communities.
• National River Traffic & Navigation System (NRT&NS): The minister introduced this system to ensure safe and seamless navigation for inland vessels. It will enhance operational efficiency and provide a central database for certification processes.
• Expansion of Water Metro Projects: Following the success of the Kochi Water Metro project, similar initiatives will be launched in 15 cities, including Guwahati. This move aims to enhance urban mobility and reduce pollution.

Regional Development Highlights:

• Assam and Northeast: Investments exceeding ₹1,000 crore have been planned for Assam. A Regional Centre of Excellence will be set up in Dibrugarh to train manpower and foster innovation in the sector. Four tourist jetties and additional ship repair facilities are also in the pipeline.
• Goa: Ten community jetties will be developed across various rivers, including Mandovi and Zuari. Maintenance projects for fairways and the installation of Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) were approved.
• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOM) will be installed for smoother passenger movement. Eight floating jetties in Mathura, two steel jetties in Ayodhya, and a ship repair facility in Ghazipur were announced.
• National Waterways Network: Projects on rivers like Yamuna, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej will focus on cruise tourism and urban transportation. Notable developments include a cruise circuit connecting the Kailash Mandir to the Taj Mahal along NW-110 in Agra.

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Jalvahak Scheme and Economic Impact: The Jalvahak scheme was launched to incentivize long-haul cargo movement on National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak). Fixed scheduled services between Kolkata, Patna, and Varanasi are expected to enhance trade efficiency. This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of leveraging waterways for economic transformation. Since 2014, investments in inland waterways have surged by 233%, resulting in a 635% increase in cargo volumes. Cargo traffic has grown from 18 million tonnes a decade ago to 133 million tonnes in 2023-24, marking a significant shift towards sustainable transportation.

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