January 01, 2002

    A self propelled barge of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CIWTC) viz., M.V.Naharkatia loaded at Silghat with 1200 MT of. HSD traversed a distance of 1710 kms. and reached Budge Budge on December 31, 2001. The vessel came through Bangladesh inland waters under a Protocol exists between the two countries. This successful trial movement would encourage all vessel operators to look for transporting POL products on Brahmaputra and Ganga Rivers. This trial movement-cum-demonstration is a joint effort of Oil Coordination Committee, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Numaligarh Refineries Limited, CIWTC Limited and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This is an eco-friendly, safe and economical mode of transport. It is not only an alternative mode but will also be helpful in decongesting the road and rail network and that too in a commercially beneficial manner.

    After the Regional Interactive meet on Development of Inland Water Transportation at Guwahati in October, 2001, IWAI conducted other demonstrations in NW-2, the Brahmaputra by its own vessel, MV Rajagopalachari. The vessel successfully demonstrated the transportation of variety of commodities, namely cement, batteries, soap and detergents of different cargo owners from Kolkata to Guwahati and original tea from Guwahati to Kolkata. Those demonstrations have resulted in creating a strong interest amongst many shippers to carry their cargo through Inland Water Transport (IWT) mode. Private vessel operators feel encouraged to build and deploy their vessels in the National Waterways.

    IWAI, besides providing infrastructure facilities in National Waterways to facilitate transportation by IWT mode, has also been making efforts to demonstrate and promote transportation of different types of commodities on the National Waterways. The new IWT policy has a major thrust for private participation of development of IWT sector.