Context:
Union Government unveils ‘Jalvahak’ Scheme to boost Inland Waterways.
Jalvahak Scheme:
- A cargo promotion initiative designed to incentivize the movement of long-haul cargo through India’s national waterways.
- Launched by – Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).
- Implementing Agencies – Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL).
- Objectives –
- Environmental Sustainability: Promote environmentally sustainable cargo transportation.
- Decongestion: Reduce congestion on roads and railways by shifting freight movement to waterways.
- Economic Growth: Foster economic growth through efficient logistics.
- Key Features –
- Incentive for Long Haul Cargo: Offers up to 35% reimbursement on operating costs for cargo transported over 300 km via waterways.
- Validity: Initially valid for 3 years.
- National Waterways Covered:
- NW1: River Ganga
- NW2: River Brahmaputra
- NW16: River Barak
- Modal Shift Target: Aim to achieve 800 million tonne-kilometres of cargo movement by 2027.
- Benefits
- Cost Reduction: Reduces overall transportation expenses.
- Infrastructure Relief: Eases the burden on existing road and railway infrastructure.
- Reliability: Fixed schedules make inland water transport a reliable option for businesses.
Inland Waterways in India:
- Inland waterways refer to navigable rivers, canals, and backwaters used for transportation.
- India has 111 officially declared National Waterways (NWs).
- Designated and managed by – Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
- Regulated by – National Waterways Act assists in the management and regulation of the waterways in a country.
IWAI:
- A statutory body by Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985
- Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
- Head office: Noida.
- Responsibility – Development, maintenance, and regulation of the inland waterways in India.
Important National Waterways (NWs):
| National Waterway | River System | States Covered |
| NW1 | Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal |
| NW2 | Brahmaputra | Assam |
| NW3 | West Coast Canal, Champakara, Udyogmandal | Kerala |
| NW4 | Kakinada to Puducherry (Buckingham Canal) | Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by a long navigational channel?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Rajasthan
Answer: (d)