The scheduled freight service, launched under the revolutionary Jalvahak scheme, completed its maiden journey as the MV Trishul, with dumb barges Ajay and Dikshu, transported 1500 tonnes of cement from Kolkata to Pandu via Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) here on Monday.
The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme encourages to reduction of logistics costs, decongesting roads and railways, and adapting to a sustainable mode of transportation and incentivises movement of long-haul cargo via National Waterways 1 (river Ganga) as well as for National Waterways 2 (river Brahmaputra) and National Waterways 16 (Barak river).
The scheduled freight service was launched by Union Minister of Ports, shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal under the scheme from Kolkata recently.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “The successful completion of MV Trishul’s maiden voyage marks a significant milestone for India’s inland waterways and the Jalvahak scheme. This achievement highlights the tremendous potential of waterways as an economical, eco-friendly, and efficient mode of transportation, helping decongest railways and roadways.”
He added that the govt is committed to transforming logistics through sustainable solutions and the Jalvahak scheme incentivizes long-haul cargo movement on national waterways 1, 2, and 16, offering businesses a cost-effective and reliable alternative.