Why in News?

The Union government on Sunday launched the Jalvahak scheme to incentivize cargo movement via inland waterways.

• Launched by – Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
• Objectives – To incentivize cargo movement via inland waterways.
• To unlock the trade potential of inland waterways while reducing logistics costs and decongesting road and rail networks.
• To optimise supply chains for major shipping companies, freight forwarders, and trade bodies.
• Implementing agency
  • Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
  • Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd. (ICSL)
• Budget – Investment of Rs 95.4 crores for 3 years.
• Coverage – National Waterways (NW)
  • NW1 – River Ganga
  • NW2 – River Brahmaputra
  • NW16 – River Barak

National Waterways are artificial or natural water channels developed and maintained by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for transport of both passengers and cargo. Currently there are 111 approved water ways and 13 operationalized water ways.

• Target – 200 million metric tons (MT) cargo movement by 2030 and 500 MT by 2047.
• Incentives – Up to 35% reimbursement on operating costs for Cargo owners transporting goods over 300 km via waterways

India has an extensive inland waterway network spanning 20,236 km.

Reference

PIB| Launch of Jalvahak Scheme to Boost Cargo Movements