https://sputniknews.in/20250110/india-challenging-us-europe-with-billions-of-investment-in-river-connectivity-8641811.html
India Challenging US, Europe With Billions of Investment in River Connectivity
India Challenging US, Europe With Billions of Investment in River Connectivity
Sputnik India
India has set ambitious targets in terms of cargo handling and passenger capacity on rivers as it seeks to outmatch inland waterway connectivity in Europe and the US in coming years.
2025-01-10T16:45+0530
2025-01-10T16:45+0530
2025-01-10T18:44+0530
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India has set ambitious targets in terms of cargo handling and passenger capacity on rivers as it seeks to outmatch inland waterway connectivity in Europe and the United States in coming years.With greater focus on developing river connectivity, India could have rivaled Europe, Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, told the second edition of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting at Kaziranga National Park, Assam, on Friday, also mentioning the river connectivity network in the US.Noting ongoing efforts to unlock India's full potential, he emphasised that the country is now poised to demonstrate its capabilities to the world.Sonowal highlighted that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has made significant strides in the sector in the last 10 years.Sonowal said that India has set a target to boosting the passenger capacity on the cruise network to 5 million by 2047.Improving the cargo handling capacity across all marine networks is crucial in India's journey to become a developed nation by 2047, Sonowal stressed.Highlighting the achievements in the last 10 years, Sonowal stated that the number of National Waterways in India had increased from just 5 to 111 at present. Further, he underscored that the total volume of cargo transported had surged from 18.07 MMTPA in 2013-14 to 132.89 MMTPA in 2023-24. Nearly $5.8 billion had been earmarked for boosting India's river infrastructure in the next five years, Sonowal asserted.He emphasised that river transportation, being 40% cheaper than rail, provides a cost-effective solution for moving goods while easing the burden on both railway and road networks.On Monday, the first vessel MV Trishul carrying 1500 tonnes of cement from GR (Garden Reach) Jetty terminal in Kolkata to Pandu, Guwahati, via IBPR successfully reached its location on the National Waterway 2. Two more vessels, carrying 1000 tonnes of gypsum from Kolkata to Patna and 200 tonnes of coal from Kolkata to Varanasi, also concluded their first runs.At the meeting, Sonowal also inaugurated the Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism at two locations, the National River Traffic and Navigation System Guidelines and Central Database Portal for registration of vessel/crew.
https://sputniknews.in/20250108/india-to-develop-a-34-bn-mega-facility-to-manufacture-very-large-crude-carriers-8634746.html
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India Challenging US, Europe With Billions of Investment in River Connectivity
16:45 10.01.2025 (Updated: 18:44 10.01.2025) India is set to invest billions of dollars in upgrading its inland waterways and port infrastructure in the coming years, with the aim of slashing logistics costs to 8% and improving overall connectivity.
India has set ambitious targets in terms of cargo handling and passenger capacity on rivers as it seeks to outmatch inland waterway connectivity in Europe and the United States in coming years.
With greater focus on developing river connectivity, India could have rivaled Europe, Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, told the second edition of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting at Kaziranga National Park, Assam, on Friday, also mentioning the river connectivity network in the US.
“For years, there was a mindset that one should travel to Europe to get the best experience on a river cruise… But Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi said that India has got the gifts of rivers, culture and geography. India has everything,” Sonowal stated.
Noting ongoing efforts to unlock India's full potential, he emphasised that the country is now poised to demonstrate its capabilities to the world.
Sonowal highlighted that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has made significant strides in the sector in the last 10 years.
“We have proven that we can operate the world’s longest river cruise,” he underscored, noting that the recently operationalised motor vessel Ganga Vilas plied on the world's longest river route of around 3,200 kilometres from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Dibrugarh (Assam), and passing the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
Sonowal said that India has set a target to boosting the passenger capacity on the cruise network to 5 million by 2047.
Further, he announced that 15 new 'water metro' networks will be established at various locations in the country in coming years. Major river exploration projects have also been planned in different states and union territories, including Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.
Improving the cargo handling capacity across all marine networks is crucial in India's journey to become a
developed nation by 2047, Sonowal stressed.
“We have set a cargo handling capacity of 200 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) by 2030. Similarly, our combined cargo handling capacity on ocean, coastal shipping and inland waterway network should reach 10,000 MMTPA by 2047,” the minister stated.
Highlighting the achievements in the last 10 years, Sonowal stated that the number of National Waterways in India had increased from just 5 to 111 at present. Further, he underscored that the total volume of cargo transported had surged from 18.07 MMTPA in 2013-14 to 132.89 MMTPA in 2023-24. Nearly $5.8 billion had been earmarked for boosting India's river infrastructure in the next five years, Sonowal asserted.
Under the Jalvahak scheme operationalised last month, the government is providing a 35% discount to companies using the rivers to transport cargoes, the minister said.
He emphasised that river transportation, being 40% cheaper than rail, provides a cost-effective solution for moving goods while easing the burden on both railway and road networks.
On Monday, the first vessel MV Trishul carrying 1500 tonnes of cement from GR (Garden Reach) Jetty terminal in Kolkata to Pandu, Guwahati, via
IBPR successfully reached its location on the National Waterway 2. Two more vessels, carrying 1000 tonnes of gypsum from Kolkata to Patna and 200 tonnes of coal from Kolkata to Varanasi, also concluded their first runs.
At the meeting, Sonowal also inaugurated the Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism at two locations, the National River Traffic and Navigation System Guidelines and Central Database Portal for registration of vessel/crew.
