NEWS – Centre Launches Jalvahak Scheme for Cargo Movement via Inland Waterways

HIGHLIGHTS

• Objective: To boost long-haul cargo movement via inland waterways.
• Launched By: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

Key Features of the Jalvahak Scheme

• Incentivisation:
  • Provides up to 35% reimbursement of total operating expenditure incurred.
  • Encourages cargo transport on National Waterways (NW)-1, NW-2, and NW-16.
  • Supports cargo owners in hiring vessels owned or operated by government entities.
• Fixed Scheduled Service:
  • Regular, scheduled cargo sailing from Haldia on NW-1 (Ganga) and NW-2 (Brahmaputra).
  • Ensures cargo delivery within a stipulated time frame.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

• Economical: Reduces costs compared to road and rail transportation.
• Ecologically Sound: Promotes sustainable and environment-friendly cargo movement.
• Efficient Mode of Transport: Helps decongest railways and roadways, improving overall freight movement efficiency.

Routes Covered

• National Waterway 1 (Ganga): Kolkata → Patna → Varanasi → Patna → Kolkata.
• National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra): Kolkata → Pandu (Guwahati) via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).

Target Beneficiaries

• Major shipping companies.
• Freight forwarders.
• Trade bodies and associations handling bulk and containerized cargo.
• Cargo owners looking to optimize supply chain networks.

Implementation Timeline

• Scheme Duration: Initially valid for three years.

First Milestone

• Cargo Ships Flagged Off:
  • MV AAI, MV Homi Bhaba, MV Trishul.
  • Two dumb barges: Ajay and Dikhu.
• Route: G.R. Jetty, Kolkata.
• First Industry User: UltraTech Cement
  • Became the first cement company to leverage NW-1 for large-scale gypsum transport.