IWDC 3.0 approves over ₹1,500 crore for green mobility and jetties, positioning Kerala as a primary inland water hub.
The Inland Waterways Development Council concluded its third session, where it revealed a massive investment plan exceeding ₹1,500 crore to advance eco-friendly transport and river-based commerce. During the summit held in Kochi, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming India’s canal and river networks into primary logistics corridors.
A significant portion of the funding is dedicated to Kerala, where new infrastructure will include river cruise jetties, a specialised survey vessel, and a slipway facility in Kochi valued at over ₹900 crore. These developments are intended to shift heavy cargo from congested road networks to water routes, leveraging the state’s extensive backwater geography for economic growth.
Key operational updates from the meeting include:
- Cargo Growth: National waterway freight volumes reached 145.84 million tonnes in the 2024–25 period, reflecting a sharp upward trend in water-based logistics.
- Incentive Expansion: The government is considering extending the Jal Vahak scheme to Kerala, which provides reimbursements of up to 35 percent on operational costs for moving cargo via waterways.
- Urban Connectivity: Authorities are conducting feasibility studies for urban water transport systems in 18 cities, including Alappuzha and Kollam, following the successful model of the Kochi Water Metro.
- Green Initiatives: The council approved the deployment of hybrid electric vessels and digital monitoring portals to ensure sustainable and transparent traffic management.
These initiatives represent a major step toward the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, focusing on carbon reduction and the modernisation of internal trade routes.
SOURCE – THE HINDU
