Modi govt to develop 23 river systems for cargo, passenger transport

The government plans to build 23 river systems for freight and passenger vessel transit, with the goal of increasing the use of inland waterways as a cheaper means of transportation, according to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The minister did not mention all 23 river systems but said that the government's focus is on growing the flow through river systems which is a greener means of transport and affordable compared to trains and trucks.

"Till now, we have 111 national waterways out of which we have discovered 23 river systems that are navigable," he stated. Under the National Waterways Act, 111 waterways have been designated as National Waterways (NWs) to promote inland water mobility in the country.

The minister stated that India's river systems have a lot of commercial potential and advised investors to invest for significant returns and explore this segment's untapped potential. He noted the MV Ganga Vilas, the world's longest river cruise, which finished its 50-day journey in Dibrugarh on Tuesday with German and Swiss tourists on board.

On January 13th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the MV Ganga Vilas luxury cruise on the world's longest river excursion from Varanasi to Dibrugarh.

According to Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, head of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, India plans to invest 35,000 crore by 2047 to build a network of waterways (IWAI). The plan to be implemented over the next 25 years will include developing waterways and jetties to improve the navigable capacity of Indian rivers.

According to the minister, much development would take place along the Brahmaputra River, creating a great number of jobs for the people. Construction of a multi-modal cargo terminal in Dibrugarh will begin by the end of 2023. Little jetties would be built along the Ganga as part of the government's 'Arth Ganga' plan to energise economic activity along river banks across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Farmers' logistics costs for moving local food will be reduced as a result of this. Bulk goods such as coal, fly ash, and iron ore are proven to be more affordable and cost-effective for transportation via inland water transport (IWT), which is a more environmentally friendly and less polluting form of transportation than rail and road. The waterways minister also cited an example how waterways will bring down the logistics costs and also benefit the environment.

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