Category: Inland Waterways

Reportedly, there are has been significant increase in trade between India and Bangladesh through Sutarkandi Land Port in the past few years. The Sutarkandi Land Port is located on the international border between India and Bangladesh in the Karimganj district of Assam. According to the Land Ports Authority of India, 11 Land Ports which are currently operational in the country, at Attari, Agartala, Dawki, Petrapole, Raxaul, Rupaidiha, Jogbani, Moreh, Sutarkandi, Srimantapur and passenger terminal building (PTB) at Dera Baba Nanak, facilitated trade worth Rs 475.94 billion during 2023-24 (till January 2024).

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has recently announced an investment of more than Rs 6.45 billion to develop 10 waterways projects in Assam, under the Sagarmala programme.

In a recent development, the Prime Minister inaugurates two hybrid electric catamaran vessels in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

On February 20, 2022, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched projects worth Rs 3.08 billion for North East region, Guwahati.

On February 15, 2024, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways inaugurated the Kalughat inland water terminal (IWT) terminal and two community jetties in Bettiah, Bihar. 

On February 12, 2024, the first trial movement of vessels carrying stone aggregates from Maia Inland Customs Port in West Benga, India to the Sultanganj Port in Bangladesh on the Maia-Aricha route commenced.

On January 8, 2023, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) announced an investment worth Rs 450 billion to develop river cruise tourism.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has reported that 86.47 million tonnes (mt) of cargo transported through inland waterways during April-November period of FY 2024, resulting an increase of 7.49 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of FY 2023.

In a noteworthy development, the Andhra Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority (APIWA) revealed two major projects to boost cargo movement, focusing on cement and power plants.

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP) has announced that the Inland Water Authority formed by the state government to start inland waterway services in rivers like Rapti, Sarayu, Ganga and Yamuna is likely to boost cruise services and generate employment on a large scale.

On November 29, 2023, the luxury vessel ‘Classic Imperial’ inaugurated at the neo classic boat jetty at Marine drive. 

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited (Amazon) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cargo movement and transportation of customer shipments and products via inland waterways using Ganga River (National Waterway 1).

According to reports, the government of Uttar Pradesh government will leverage network of rivers for low-cost passenger and cargo movement in order to achieve merchandise exports of Rs 3 trillion in the next 2-3 years.

As per reports, the government is ready with the draft Act under which Uttar Pradesh will set up its Inland Waterways Authority.

The government is promoting the coastal cruise services by providing an integrated goods and services tax (IGST) exemption to the high-end vessels transitioning to the coastal routes.

MK Shipping Lines is planning to operate a cruise from Sadarghat (Dhaka, Bangladesh) to Howrah (Kolkata), starting November 20, 2023.

As per reports, India will have two new waterways along the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route, which will improve navigability and reduce travel time by at least 600 km.

The government of Assam is planning to modernise the state’s inland waterways at an estimated cost of Rs 7 billion.