The 2nd Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meet, organized by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for the development of waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), was held from 9th January to 10th January 2025 in Kaziranga, Assam to discuss upon the policies to enhance inland waterways and its infrastructure in India.
- The meeting was presided over by the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways(MoPSW).
Key People:
The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State(MoS) Shantanu Thakur, MoPSW; Aleixo Sequeira, Ports Minister of Goa; Jogen Mohan, Transport Minister of Assam; Khashim Vashum, Transport Minister of Manipur; Satish Sharma, Transport Minister of Jammu & Kashmir(J & K); Pu Vanlalhlana, Transport Minister of Mizoram, and Ojing Tasing, Transport Minister of Arunachal Pradesh(AR), among others.
Highlights of 2nd IWDC Meet :
Launches:
i.During the meeting, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled Initiatives worth more than Rs.1400 crore to boost inland waterways transport network across 21 Inland Waterway States.
ii.The National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) was launched to create a safe, seamless and sustainable movement of Inland vessels during the event.
iii.The Central Database Module and Issuance of Certificates was also launched with an aim to streamline out the process of certification for vessel owners.
iv.The government also plans to launch 1,000 green vessels to boost economic opportunities through sustainable inland waterway transport.
Announcements:
i.During the meeting, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced an investment of Rs.50,000 crore over the next five years to strengthen infrastructure on national waterways.
- He also announced the setting up of Regional Centre of Excellence (RcoE) in Dibrugarh, Assam.
ii.The Union Minister also announced the setting up of 6 floating steel jetties on river Godavari (NW 4) at Gandipochamma Temple, Pochavaram, Perantapalli village in Andhra Pradesh (AP).
iii.A feasibility study on river Penna (NW 79) was also announced along with DPR of NW 4 to get additional inputs for development.
iv.A budget of more than Rs.3000 crore will be allocated for the development of National Waterways (NW)2, NW16 and the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) by 2030.
Points to Note:
i.The cargo traffic on national waterways has increased in the last 10 years – from 18 million tons a decade ago to 133 million tons in Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 22%.
ii.A policy initiative named Riverine Community Development Scheme was launched with an aim to improve the socio-economic well-being of communities along the waterways through infrastructure upgrades, trade and tourism promotion, and skill development for coastal communities.
About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
Chairman– Vijay Kumar
Headquarters– Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Founded– 1986
