New Delhi: The Ministry of Shipping has decided to waive waterway usage charges with immediate effect to promote inland waterways as a supplementary, eco-friendly and cheaper mode of transport.
The charges are waived initially for three years, the Ministry said.
Presently, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) levies the waterway usage charges at a rate of Rs 0.02 per gross registered tonnage (GRT) per kilometer for plying of Inland cargo vessels and Rs. 0.05 per gross registered tonnage (GRT) per kilometer for plying of Cruise vessels on national waterways.
The decision is estimated to increase the inland waterway traffic movement to 110MMT in 2022-23 from 72MMTin 2019-20. It will benefit the economic activities and development in the region.
Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Mansukh Mandaviya said that currently only 2% of total cargo traffic moves through waterways.
Decision of waiving waterway charges will attract the industries to use the national waterways for their logistical needs.