Cabinet Decisions for Shipping Sector Revolutionary, says Nitin Gadkari

Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highway, Shri Nitin Gadkari has
described the decisions taken by the Cabinet on March 25, 2015 regarding shipping
sector as revolutionary and historical. While briefing the media persons on these
decisions here today he said that the initiatives would make a very positive impact
on the socio-economic situation of the country. The Union Cabinet took three
important decisions in the Shipping sector. It gave its approval for enactment of
Central legislation for declaring 101 additional Inland Waterways as National
Waterways (NW) for navigation. In addition, the Union Cabinet gave its approval for
formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to provide efficient rail evacuation
systems to Major Ports and thereby enhance their handling capacity and
efficiency. It also gave its in-principle approval for the concept and institutional
framework of Sagarmala Project.
ShriGadkarisaidthattransportationthroughwaterwaysismuchmorecosteffectivecomparedtoroad
and rail transportation. Stating that so far the country has only five waterways declared as national
waterways, the Minister said India has large untapped potential in this regard. Regarding the rail
evacuationsystemstomajorportstheMinistersaidthereisurgentneedtoimprovetheconnectivityto
ports in order to improve their operational efficiency. Regarding Sagarmala, he said the initiative
willsupportPortledDevelopmentthroughappropriatepolicyandinstitutionalinterventions.

Mode

VOC/Frei
Taxes
Total
ght
Rs/ TKM
(Rs/TKM)
Railways
1.36
3.71%
1.41
Highway
2.50
3.09%
2.58
IWT
1.06
NIL
1.06
Source : Railways Ministry of Railways, Road TTSS, IWT IWAI