Hydrographic navigation and River Information System (RIS) / Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for National Waterways
Hydrographic surveys, River Information System (RIS), and Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for National Waterways
- The Ministry reports a linked workflow: regular thalweg surveys to assess navigational channels, followed by RIS components for real-time traffic monitoring and ENCs for navigational charting on digital platforms.
- The Ministry states that before 2014, ENCs were available only for National Waterway-1, and the current reporting indicates expansion to multiple operational/tidal waterways.
Hydrographic navigation and River Information System (RIS) infrastructure are being scaled for India’s National Waterways to support safer navigation and real-time traffic monitoring. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways also reports expansion of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) across multiple operational and tidal waterways through digital platforms for vessel tracking and chart display.
What happened (reported by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways)
The Ministry reports three linked components for National Waterways navigation: (1) expanded hydrographic survey activities on key routes, (2) phased RIS implementation on National Waterway-1 (Ganga), and (3) preparation and upload of ENCs for 17 operational/tidal waterways via PANI and IWAI Vessel Tracker.
RIS and ENCs should be analysed as enabling infrastructure for inland navigation safety and logistics—where hydrographic survey data feeds real-time monitoring and charting for vessel movement. Focus on how phased deployment, sensor/communication layers (AIS, VHF) and institutional platforms (PANI, IWAI Vessel Tracker) reduce navigational uncertainty on National Waterways.
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