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.
Background and earlier position
Inland water transport is a policy instrument for reducing pressure on roads and rail corridors where navigable rivers and canals are available. The Jal Marg Vikas Project was launched to improve the navigational capacity of the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of the Ganga river system under National Waterway-1; the project is implemented through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
The current release also identifies three operational waterways in Goa: NW-27 (Cumberjua canal), NW-111 (Zuari River), and NW-68 (Mandovi River).
Related current affairs
- Operational inland waterways: 32 National Waterways, funding allocation and cargo/passenger traffic details
- Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) component-wise status and National Waterways infrastructure/policy annexures
- Policy and regulatory measures to promote inland waterways, coastal shipping and multimodal logistics
- Dr Jitendra Singh highlights connectivity-led development in Northeast during meeting with Nagaland Dy CM
- Hydrographic navigation and River Information System (RIS) / Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for National Waterways
- Sagarmala programme and port modernisation: progress, connectivity projects and MoPSW assistance