Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and National Waterways development: budget, progress and cargo growth
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways says cargo movement on National Waterways has risen sharply, while Jal Marg Vikas Project works and jetty construction continue across operational waterways in Goa.
- The ministry says year-wise budgetary allocation, expenditure, and progress since 2022-23 are available in the annexures for the Jal Marg Vikas Project and other National Waterways projects.
- Goa has three operational National Waterways named NW-27, NW-111, and NW-68.
- The ministry presents inland water transport as an alternate mode to road and rail because it can reduce congestion where navigable waterways are available.
What happened
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has reported progress under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and other projects on National Waterways (NWs). The ministry has also reported jetty construction in Goa and a steep rise in cargo movement on waterways.
The official note links the progress in inland water transport with lower freight cost and lower pollution compared with road transport and, in several comparisons, rail transport as well.
UPSC can frame National Waterways around infrastructure efficiency, multimodal logistics, regional connectivity, and the environmental advantage of inland water transport over road and rail. A Mains question can also test whether project execution, navigability, and last-mile infrastructure are sufficient to shift freight from road to waterways.
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