Why in the News?
The Centre launched the Jalvahak Scheme to boost long-haul cargo movement via inland waterways. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off cargo ships, marking the beginning of scheduled sailing services to encourage efficient cargo transport.
About JalVahak Scheme
- Objective: Promote cargo movement on National Waterways (NW) as an eco-friendly, cost-effective transportation mode.
- Key Waterways:
- NW-1 (Ganga)
- NW-2 (Brahmaputra)
- NW-16 (Barak)
- Benefits:
- 35% Reimbursement: Up to 35% of total operating expenses for cargo transport.
- Encourages businesses, including shipping companies, freight forwarders, and trade associations, to shift to inland waterways.
- Validity: Scheme is valid for three years initially.
Key Routes
- Fixed sailing services between:
- Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi–Patna–Kolkata (NW-1)
- Kolkata and Pandu (via Guwahati) (NW-2)
- Leveraging the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) for transport efficiency.
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