The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) on November 27, 2024, issued the notification regarding the Salient features of the “Scheme for Incentives to Promote the Utilization of Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) Sector by Cargo owners and for starting Scheduled Services for Cargo Movement on NW-1, NW-2 via IBP Route and NW-16”
The following has been stated namely: -
• This scheme has been created as an efficient transport system, where there is optimal utilization of various modes of transport, is pivotal for enhancing logistics efficiencies and costs. This also leads to reduction in the transport sector related emissions in the country. India, currently, faces an unbalanced logistics landscape with a significant reliance on road and rail networks for transporting freight cargo.
• The objective of the Scheme is to: -
o Provide impetus to modal shift of cargo to IWT mode by incentivising such shift
o Demonstrate the reliability as well as readiness of the IWT sector for the purpose of boosting confidence of the stakeholders.
