IWAI to improve inland waterways network.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), anticipating an increase in cargo traffic, plans to purchase 8-10 inland cargo vessels to operate on two key waterways - the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.

Following the Government's push to this mode of transportation, it expects there will be a demand for 150-200 barges/vessels on the Ganga (National Waterways 1) in the next 3-4 years.

Cargo traffic on the two waterways, called the National Waterway 1 and 2, is expected to double to around 65 million tonne as inland water transport is efficient, economical and environment friendly mode for transportation, according to an IWAI official.

The authority plans to procure vessels suited to the existing fairway developed and maintained by IWAI at National Waterways 1 and 2 initially.

This is to demonstrate its competitiveness vis-à-vis rail and road and to create awareness among shippers, vessel operators and investors on the potential of IWT system.

HBL