New Delhi, Dec 12 (LatestNewsX) – Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal told Parliament on Friday that passenger traffic on India’s national waterways has surged to almost five times the 2023‑24 level, climbing from 1.61 crore to 7.64 crore in the 2024‑25 fiscal year.
In a written reply to a Lok Sabha question, he also noted that cargo movement on the waterways has more than doubled over the last five years, rising from 83.6 million tonnes in 2020‑21 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024‑25.
To further boost inland water transport, the government has introduced the Jalvahak scheme, allocating Rs 95.42 crore over three years (FY 2024‑25 to FY 2026‑27). The plan offers direct financial incentives to cargo owners amounting to 35 percent of the actual operating costs incurred on a waterway journey.
In addition, Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL) has launched scheduled services to promote inland water transport. It has received funds to operate vessels on the Kolkata‑Patna/Varanasi route, the Kolkata‑Guwahati route via IBP, and the Kolkata‑Karimganj/Badarpur route via IBP.
The scheme applies to NW‑1, NW‑2 and NW‑16 only for long‑haul trips exceeding 200 km.
Sonowal also highlighted the importance of safety, protecting life and cargo, and preventing pollution. The Inland Vessels Act 2021 provides a unified regulatory framework for vessels operating on India’s inland waters. Navigational aids such as marks are supplied, and River Pilots are boarded on cargo vessels to ensure safe passage.
Answering another query, the minister mentioned that Cochin Shipyard Ltd. has repaired 17 vessels belonging to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration over the past year. All repairs were completed on schedule, with the yard coordinating with Lakshadweep Development Corporation Ltd. to keep a replacement vessel of the same type operational during maintenance, thereby maintaining continuous passenger and cargo services.
According to data from the UTLA, the number of passengers aboard ships rose from 346,447 in FY 2023‑24 to 355,612 in FY 2024‑25. Cargo traffic also increased, moving from 23,379.36 MT in FY 2023‑24 to 37,039.40 MT in FY 2024‑25.
sps/na
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