Inland Waterways signs MoU with Ultra Tech
This is among a series of MoUs that the IWAI has signed to promote cargo movement through river systems
image for illustrative purpose
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ultra Tech Cement for the cargo movement of gypsum. This is among a series of MoUs that the IWAI has signed with a number of companies, both private and government run, to promote cargo movement through river systems.
At present, there is hardly any containerized cargo movement on inland vessels in the country. The IWAI wants to change this, so it is encouraging private companies to invest in container vessels, official sources told Bizz Buzz, adding that the authority is striving to develop terminals and waterways in such a way that they can handle both bulk and containerized cargo.
In a bid to transform our river systems into a sustainable and economical mode of transport, 111 waterways spread over 24 states have been declared as National Waterways (NWs). Feasibility studies (FSs) of new NWs, which are 106, have been completed.
The subsequent detailed project reports or DPRs have been also completed on the selected NWs on the basis of FSs. Action plan has been formulated for development of 26 viable NWs based upon the outcome of study reports and development taken up in 20 NWs, the sources said.
Signing agreements with private players and public sector undertakings has been going on for some time. On November 22 last year, the IWAI had signed an MoU with the e-commerce giant Amazon to promote cargo movement and transportation of customer shipments and products via inland waterways using the Ganga (NW I).
The collaboration between IWAI and Amazon marks a significant stride in advancing the transportation of e-commerce cargo along inland waterways, the sources said. This partnership aims at harnessing the efficiency and sustainability of water transport to optimize logistics, diminish environmental footprints, and promote economic development, they added.
Tata Steel, Numaligarh Refinery, Brahmaputra Crackers & Polymer Ltd, and Star Cement are some of the other companies with which the IWAI has signed MoUs.
