India's first subsidised scheduled cargo service over waterways launched

India's first subsidised and scheduled service of cargo vessels from Haldia for National Waterway (NW) 1 and NW 2 was launched Sunday. An official statement said this service will ply vessels between Kolkata - Patna - Varanasi - Patna - Kolkata stretch of NW 1 and between Kolkata and Pandu in Guwahati on NW 2 through the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).

Speaking at an event to mark the start of these services, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "We want to boost cargo movement via waterways, to decongest the railways and roadways. Jalvahak scheme incentivises long haul cargo on NW1, NW2 and NW16."

According to the minister, regular scheduled freight service, which began from Kolkata, will ensure that the cargo is transported and delivered within a stipulated time frame. "This will also generate confidence among our users about the readiness of national waterways for regular movement of cargo in an efficient, economical and environmentally responsible mode of transportation," he said.


An official statement said The first vessel - MV Trishul with two Dumb Barges Ajay and Dikhu - is carrying 1500 tonnes of cement from GR Jetty in Kolkata to Pandu in Guwahati via Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). The second vessel - MV Aai - is carrying 1000 tonnes of Gypsum to Patna while the third vessel - MV Homi Bhaba - is carrying 200 tonnes of coal to Varanasi.

The cargo promotion scheme offers direct incentive to cargo owners for transporting goods through inland waterways for a distance of more than 300 kms. This is a joint effort by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency of waterways development in the country, as well as by the Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a fully owned subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCIL).