Cargo transportation on waterways rose from 55.2 mt in 2016 to 72.31 mt in 2018-19

“111 National Waterways are being developed in phased manner for the purpose of shipping and navigation, informed Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) and Chemical & Fertilizers in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. The Minister informed that cargo transportation on waterways rose to 72.31 million tonnes (mt) in the year 2018-19, from 55.20 mt in 2016-17 and 55.03 mt in 2017-18.
To increase the use of inland waterways and coastal shipping for greater cargo shipment, initiatives taken by the government include providing assured depth of water in the channels, navigation aids like GPS and River Information System, terminals at regular intervals, facilities for mechanized handling of cargo handling etc.