'Jalvahak' scheme unveiled to boost cargo on National Waterways 1, 2 and 16
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled 'Jalvahak', a cargo promotion scheme for National Waterways 1, 2 and 16, and flagged off scheduled cargo services from Kolkata on 15 December 2024.
Summary
'Jalvahak', a cargo promotion scheme incentivising long-haul cargo movement on National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak), was unveiled by Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Kolkata on 15 December 2024. The scheme reimburses up to 35% of the total operating expenditure for cargo moved via waterways over distances of more than 300 km, and is initially valid for three years. It is a joint effort of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India. Sonowal also flagged off a Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Service between Kolkata, Patna and Varanasi on NW 1 and between Kolkata and Pandu (Guwahati) on NW 2 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. The schemes aim at a modal shift of 800 million tonne-km with an investment of ₹95.4 crore by 2027.
Key facts
- Unveiled
- 15 December 2024, Kolkata, by Sarbananda Sonowal
- Waterways
- NW 1 (Ganga), NW 2 (Brahmaputra), NW 16 (Barak)
- Incentive
- Up to 35% of total operating expenditure, for distances over 300 km
- Validity
- Initially three years
- Implementers
- IWAI and ICSL (subsidiary of SCI)
- Scheduled service
- Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi (NW 1); Kolkata–Pandu (NW 2) via IBPR
- Target
- Modal shift of 800 million tonne-km; ₹95.4 crore by 2027
Practice MCQs 5 questions
Under the 'Jalvahak' scheme unveiled on 15 December 2024, cargo owners can get reimbursement of up to what share of total operating expenditure?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 35%
PIB (Ports, Shipping & Waterways): the Jalvahak scheme offers reimbursement up to 35% of the total operating expenditure incurred while transporting cargo via waterways on NW 1, NW 2 and NW 16.
National Waterway 16, one of the three waterways covered by the 'Jalvahak' scheme, is on which river?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Barak
PIB (Ports, Shipping & Waterways): Jalvahak covers NW 1 (river Ganga), NW 2 (river Brahmaputra) and NW 16 (river Barak).
Consider the following statements about the 'Jalvahak' scheme: 1. It provides incentives for transporting cargo via inland waterways over distances of more than 300 km. 2. It is initially valid for three years. 3. It is a joint effort of IWAI and Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited, a subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Ports, Shipping & Waterways): the scheme incentivises cargo moved over more than 300 km, is initially valid for 3 years, and is a joint effort of IWAI and ICSL, a fully owned subsidiary of SCI. All three statements are correct.
The cargo promotion schemes unveiled with 'Jalvahak' on 15 December 2024 aim at a modal shift of how much cargo to inland waterways by 2027?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 800 million tonne-km
The schemes aim at a modal shift of 800 million tonne-km with an investment of ₹95.4 crore by 2027.
The Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Service flagged off on National Waterway 2 on 15 December 2024 connects Kolkata with:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Pandu (Guwahati)
Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off a scheduled service between Kolkata and Pandu (Guwahati) on NW 2 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, alongside the Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi service on NW 1.