Indian Government Invests ₹50,000 Crore to Boost Inland Water Transport
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | ₹50,000 crore over the next five years. |
| Focus Areas | - Development of new national waterways. - Promotion of green shipping initiatives. - Expansion of Water Metro projects. - Infrastructure development (e.g., floating steel jetties). |
| Green Shipping | - 50% of the investment allocated. - Introduction of 1,000 green vessels. |
| Water Metro Projects | - Expansion to 15 cities, including Kochi and Guwahati. |
| Infrastructure Development | - Construction of six floating steel jetties on the Godavari River (National Waterway 4). - Locations: Gandipochamma Temple, Pochavaram, Perantapalli village (Andhra Pradesh). |
| Historical Context | - National Waterways Act, 2016 declared 111 waterways as national assets. - Underutilization of inland waterways. |
| Strategic Importance | - Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) established in 2023. - Collaboration between central and state governments. |
| Future Prospects | - Development of 20 out of 26 viable national waterways. - Increase in water-based trade. - Reduction in logistics costs. - Promotion of eco-friendly transportation. |