Jalvahak Scheme:
The Union Government launched the ‘Jalvahak’ scheme to incentivise cargo movement via inland waterways.
- Jalvahak Scheme aims to unlock the trade potential of inland waterways while reducing logistics costs and decongesting road and rail networks.
- Under the scheme, cargo owners transporting goods over distances exceeding 300 km via waterways will receive up to 35 per cent reimbursement on operating costs.
- The scheme will remain valid for three years and is designed to optimise supply chains for major shipping companies, freight forwarders, and trade bodies.
- It is a major step towards promoting sustainable and cost-effective transportation across National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak river).
- The Jalvahak scheme incentivises long-haul cargo transport and ensures timely delivery through regular freight services.
- This marks the beginning of fixed Scheduled Service of Cargo Vessels from Haldia for NW 1 and NW 2.
- The Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Service will ply vessels between the Kolkata – Patna – Varanasi – Patna – Kolkata stretch of NW 1 and between Kolkata and Pandu in Guwahati on NW 2 via Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
- It is jointly implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd (ICSL).
