The Inland Waterways Authority of India, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), is hosting the first-ever meeting of the 'Inland Waterways Development Council' in Kolkata today. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, is set to lead discussions with representatives from waterway states, central government officials, and experts aboard the MV Ganga Queen.
Ministers and officials from various state governments, central government, and domain experts are scheduled to participate in the event. As part of the agenda, Sonowal will unveil several initiatives, including the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” and the “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047.” Additionally, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), marking collaborative efforts towards advancing the inland waterways and associated sectors, are expected to be signed.
The inaugural IWDC aims to address critical issues in the development of India's inland waterways. Discussions will focus on fairway development, private sector engagement, optimizing cargo transport efficiency in Inland Water Transport (IWT), promoting and developing eco-friendly vessels for passenger transportation, exploring the economic advantages of river cruise tourism, and advocating sustainable practices.
With a strategic objective, the shipping ministry aims to elevate the modal share of Inland Water Transportation (IWT) from the current 2% to 5%, aligning with the goals outlined in the Maritime India Vision 2030. As part of the ambitious Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the ministry aspires to significantly increase the existing IWT cargo volume from approximately 120 MTPA to over 500 MTPA, signifying substantial progress in the development of inland waterways.
The establishment of the Inland Waterways Development Council in October 2023 underscores the Government of India's commitment to comprehensively developing inland waterways and the associated Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem. The initiative aims to enhance cargo efficiency, streamline passenger movement, and boost river cruise tourism, with active collaboration from states and Union territories.
