Padmesh Prabhune –
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled a major policy for Cargo Promotion – ‘Jalvahak’ – incentivising movement of long-haul cargo via National Waterways 1 (river Ganga) as well as for National Waterways 2 (river Brahmaputra) and National Waterways 16 (river Barak) in Kolkata on Sunday December 15,2024.
Shri Sonowal flagged off cargo ships – MV AAI, MV Homi Bhabha, along with MV Trishul with two Dumb Barges, Ajay & Dikhu – from the GR Jetty marking the beginning of fixed Scheduled Services of Cargo Vessels from Haldia for NW 1 and NW 2.
The ‘Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Service’ will ply vessels between Kolkata – Patna – Varanasi – Patna – Kolkata stretch of NW 1 and between Kolkata and Pandu in Guwahati on NW 2 via Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme aims to reduce logistics costs, decongest roads and railways, and adapt to a sustainable mode of transportation.
Sonowal said, “Jalvahak scheme incentivises long haul cargo on NW1, NW2 and NW16, providing an opportunity for the trade interests to explore movement of cargo via waterways with positive economic value proposition. The regular scheduled freight service will ensure that the cargo is transported and delivered within a stipulated time frame.”
According to officials, the cargo promotion scheme provides direct incentive to the cargo owners to transport their goods via inland waterways for a distance of more than 300 kms. The initiative is a joint effort by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and the Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a fully owned subsidiary of The Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCIL). The service shall be operated by ICSL.
The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme initially valid for 3 years offers reimbursement upto 35% of total operating expenditure incurred while transporting cargo via waterways on NW 1 NW 2& NW 16. To encourage the business proposition of vessel operators, the scheme encourages cargo owners to hire vessels owned or operated by organisations other than IWAI or ICSL.
-Marex Media