The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled the ambitious Jalvahak policy aimed at promoting cargo transportation through India’s inland waterways. The scheme primarily focuses on National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak), incentivizing long-haul cargo movement over distances exceeding 300 km.
To mark this initiative, cargo vessels – MV AAI, MV Homi Bhaba, and MV Trishul, accompanied by barges Ajay and Dikhu – were flagged off from GR Jetty in Kolkata. These vessels commenced scheduled cargo services along strategic inland routes, including Kolkata-Patna-Varanasi on NW 1 and Kolkata-Pandu in Guwahati via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
The Jalvahak scheme encourages cargo owners to leverage waterways as an economic and sustainable alternative to road and rail transport. The policy offers reimbursement of up to 35 per cent of the operational costs for cargo moved on NW 1, NW 2, and NW 16, fostering a shift towards greener logistics. The initiative also aims to enhance the business prospects of vessel operators by encouraging companies to hire privately owned or operated vessels, promoting greater participation from shipping firms and trade bodies.
Additionally, a fixed-schedule sailing service has been introduced to ensure timely cargo movement. For NW 1, the transit duration is fixed at 7 days for Kolkata-Patna, 5 days for Patna-Varanasi, and 14 days for Kolkata-Varanasi routes. On NW 2 via IBPR, the Kolkata-Pandu stretch will take 18 days, while the return leg to Kolkata is set at 15 days.
The inaugural vessels carried a variety of cargo: MV Trishul transported 1,500 ton of cement to Pandu, MV AAI moved 1,000 ton of gypsum to Patna, and MV Homi Bhaba shipped 200 ton of coal to Varanasi. The service is expected to significantly reduce logistics costs, decongest road and rail networks, and provide a dependable supply chain alternative.
The government has set ambitious targets for waterway cargo transportation. By 2027, the scheme aims for a modal shift of 800 million ton km with an investment of Rs 95.4 crore. By 2030, cargo movement via waterways is projected to touch 200 million metric ton, with a long-term vision of 500 million metric ton by 2047.
The revitalization of national waterways marks a significant step toward unlocking the potential of India’s blue economy. Over the past decade, cargo movement on inland waterways has surged from 18 million metric ton in 2013-14 to over 132 million metric ton in 2023-24, showcasing a remarkable growth trajectory.
The scheme holds particular significance for eastern India, where waterways are poised to transform regional logistics. By promoting an economical, efficient, and eco-friendly mode of cargo transportation, the Jalvahak initiative contributes to decongesting traditional transport networks and fostering connectivity for trade and commerce.
India’s inland waterways, spanning 20,236 km, have remained underutilized compared to global counterparts. With focused investments and policy-driven incentives like Jalvahak, waterways are set to emerge as a cornerstone of the country’s logistics ecosystem, advancing economic growth and sustainability.