New Inland Waterways Law On Way: Ambitious Water Transport Network A Step Closer 

In a boost to inland waterways, the government has decided to overhaul the 100-year old Inland Vessel Act. It has been sent to the law ministry for approval and is expected to be introduced in parliament in the summer session. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) chairman Amitabh Verma confirmed that a new law was in the making and stated that details are yet to be finalised.

Water transport for long has been a pet project of Union Minister for Shipping and Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The Inland Waterways Bill was introduced by him in 2016 and was subsequently passed in parliament, declaring 111 rivers are Inland Waterways.

The Inland Vessel Act pertains to matters regarding inland water limits, safety of vessels, employment, pollution control and insurance. The proposed law will take into account matters relating to extension of inland water limits, work-sharing between the states and the centre, as well as penalties in the events of accidents.

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