The Government is implementing Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1– Varanasi-Haldia stretch–at a cost of Rs 5,369 crore with the technical assistance and investment support of the World Bank.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) today made public 13 standardised ship designs suitable for large barge haulage on the Ganga river, the government said.
The specially designed vessels will navigate on low drafts with high carrying capacity and at the same time, environment friendly.
For the shipbuilding industry, the new designs will translate into a savings of Rs 30-50 lakhs in the building of a vessel.
Available free on the IWAI website, the designs will remove ambiguity on the class and type of vessels that can sail on river Ganga with efficient maneuverability.
“This marks attaining of a critical milestone in the growth of the country’s inland water transport sector as it will help overcome the unique navigation challenges river Ganga throws due to its complex river morphology, hydraulics, acute bends, shifting channels, meanders and current. It will serve as an enabler for domestic shipbuilding industry working on inland vessels and open huge possibilities for cargo and passenger movement on National Waterway-1.”
Reference- TOI, IWAI website, PIB