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Scheme in works for greening of inland waterways vessels

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The Centre is readying an overhaul of India’s inland waterways with focus on greater adoption of green vessels. In line with these goals, guidelines for transitioning vessels – already plying India’s inland waterways – to clean energy will soon be readied, shipping, ports and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal told ET.

“Guidelines for the green transition of inland waterway vessels will be introduced during the first meeting of the Inland Waterway Development Council (IWDC). The initial target is to support transition of 1,000 vessels, ferries and boats over the next 10 years under the programme,” he said. This first IWDC is scheduled for January 8.

According to Sonowal, the existing ferries that largely run on diesel will be encouraged to switch to green energy such as electric, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hydrogen fuels. Officials estimate the project to cost ₹15,000 crore. A scheme for the same is being planned and it will fund transition of both state government-owned vessels and private ones. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and West Bengal own vessels and stand to benefit from the green transition programme. “The scheme will operate like a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to help the switch towards cleaner fuel for inland waterway transport,” a senior government official told ET.

Scheme in Works for Greening of Inland Waterways Vessels

Besides this, a River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047 will also be released during IWDC. “Ten international river cruises using Indo-Bangladesh protocol routes have been successfully completed,” Sonowal said. These follow the World’s Longest River cruise which was conducted from Varanasi on National Waterway-1 to Dibrugarh on National Waterway-2 via Indo-Bangladesh protocol route, covering 3,200 kilometres.

“The roadmap has identified 30+ additional potential routes for different river cruise types, including long and short, recreational and heritage segments to attract all tourist categories,” Sonowal said. “A 19-point action plan and roadmap, including route development, marketing strategy, infrastructure development and navigation to effectively proceed with developing such additional river cruises is also ready,” he added. The IWDC will be the apex advisory body for the development of the inland waterway sector in the country. Its role will be similar to the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) which focuses on development of ports and coastal states.

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