Sonowal to launch ‘Harit Nauka’ Guidelines along with the ‘River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047’
IWDC’s first meeting features a packed agenda addressing crucial issues in the development of inland waterways in India
The Inland Waterways Authority of India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), is set to host the inaugural ‘Inland Waterways Development Council’ meeting on January 8, 2023, in Kolkata. The day-long meeting on board the vessel MV Ganga Queen, by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, will bring together key figures from across the waterways states and central government including Shripad Naik and Shantanu Thakur, Ministers of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The event will also see the participation of Ministers from various State Governments, accompanied by their Principle Secretaries/Secretaries, alongside numerous senior officers of the Central Government and domain experts in the field.
The Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways & AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal, will also unveil groundbreaking initiatives, including “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” and the “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047,” during the meeting. Additionally, the event anticipates the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), marking collaborative efforts towards advancing the inland waterways and associated sectors.
The inaugural IWDC meeting boasts a packed agenda with consecutive sessions addressing vital issues in the development of inland waterways in India. The sessions encompass topics such as fairway development, private sector engagement and best practices, optimizing cargo transport efficiency in Inland Water Transport (IWT), fostering the promotion and development of eco-friendly vessels for passenger transportation, exploring the economic advantages of river cruise tourism, and emphasizing sustainable practices, among others.
It is to be noted that Ministry has set a bold objective to elevate the modal share of Inland Water Transportation (IWT) from the current 2% to 5%, aligning with the goals outlined in the Maritime India Vision 2030. Furthermore, as part of the ambitious Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the ministry aims to substantially increase the existing IWT cargo volume from approximately 120 MTPA to over 500 MTPA, signifying a significant leap forward in the development of inland waterways in the country.
In the state of West Bengal, the Sagarmala Programme is actively driving maritime development with 62 projects valued at Rs. 16,300 Crores. Notably, 19 projects worth approximately Rs. 1,100 Crore have been successfully completed, while 43 projects, totaling around Rs. 15 thousand Crores, are at various stages of implementation. Among these initiatives, 11 projects, with a partial funding of around Rs. 650 Crore from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), are making significant progress. Six of these projects, valued at approximately Rs. 400 Crore, have reached completion, while the remaining five, worth Rs. 250 Crore, are in different phases of implementation.
Noteworthy achievements include the successful improvement of road connectivity, facilitating port and trade users, and the Rs. 47 Crore project for the upgradation of tracks at the EJC yard of Kolkata Port, resulting in enhanced safety and efficiency. Upcoming projects include the establishment of the Centre for Inland and Coastal Maritime Technology at IIT Kharagpur, with 100% financial assistance from Sagarmala, and the anti-erosion work on the left bank of the river Hooghly/Bhagirathi Block & P.S. Kalyani Nadia district, a Rs. 17.7 Crore initiative aimed at preventing bank erosion and safeguarding the livelihood of local communities.
The establishment of the Inland Waterways Development Council in October 2023 by the Government of India underscores its commitment to comprehensive development of inland waterways and the associated Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem for improved cargo efficiency, passenger movement, and river cruise tourism, with active participation from States and Union Territories.
Union Ministers Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will lay the foundation stone for the project on modernisation and upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour on 8th January, 2024 at Paradip, Odisha
Central Government has accorded approval to the proposal with a total estimated cost of Rs 108.91 Crore with 100% central financial assistance
Modernisation of Fishing Harbour will improve the lives of thousands of Fishermen and allied workers who depend on the harbour for their livelihood
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala and Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will lay the foundation stone for the project on modernisation and upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour on 8th January, 2024 at Paradip, Odisha. Central Government has accorded approval to the proposal of Paradip Port Authority for Modernisation and Upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour at a total estimated cost of Rs 108.91 Crore with 100% central financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in convergence with Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways under Sagarmala Scheme. This fishing harbour project is implemented by Paradip Port Authority with a completion period of 18 months.
Paradip Fishing Harbour with an enclosed area of about 43 acres is one of major fishing harbours in Odisha located on the right bank of river Mahanadi, 2 km upstream of river mouth in Jagatsinghpur District. The harbour was initially designed to accommodate 370 numbers of 10 m vessel, 80 numbers of 13 m vessel and 50 numbers of 15 m vessel and traditional crafts. At present about 640 numbers of 15 m vessel and 100 numbers of 9 m Gill Netter (FRP boats) are utilising the harbour facilities.
The modernisation and upgradation of the Paradip Fishing Harbour will improve its hygienic conditions and make the harbour clean, pollution free, aesthetically good looking by upgrading existing facilities, providing new, efficient and essential infrastructure facilities, mechanizing the fish process and good management practices by efficient management body. This modernisation of Fishing Harbour will improve the lives of the thousands of Fishermen and allied workers who depend on the harbour for their livelihood. The modernisation and value-addition activities taken up under the aforementioned project will also generate new employment opportunities of skilled and unskilled nature.
The project on modernisation and upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour envisages construction of a new Auction Hall, new Commercial Complex, Extension of Quay Wall, Shore Protection Works, Renovation of existing Auction Hall, Gear Shed, Fish Packing Shed, Ice crushing hall, first aid centre, raising of compound wall, electrical works, overhead water tank, solar power plant, solar lights, navigational aids/radio communication equipment, ETP, Fire Fighting Equipment, Market Complex and paving of roads, landscaping with other ancillary utilities & services etc.
Minister of Fisheries and Animal Development Department, Government of Odisha, Shri Ranendra Pratap Swain, Member of Parliament, Jagatsinghpur, Smt. Rajashree Mallick, Member of Legislative Assembly, Paradip, Shri Sambit Routray will also be present on the occasion. The senior officials from Department of Fisheries, Government of India, Government of Odisha, National Fisheries Development Board, Paradip Port Authority, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, fishermen association and other dignitaries are expected to participate in the foundation laying ceremony.
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