“We are celebrating IWAI’s growth from Rs 1,517 crore to Rs 5,210.81 crore in nine years, 16% growth in cargo movement (315% increase since 2014-15), and international cooperation with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan,” IWAI chairman Sanjay Bandopadhyay said on the sidelines of GMIS 2023 Road show in Varanasi.
“The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is constructing an Inter Modal Terminal at Kalughat, Bihar. The terminal is slated for completion by December 2023 and is set to revolutionise freight movement by connecting Nepal to Kalughat through road and Kalughat to Haldia via waterways,” Union Minister for Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal said.
On this occasion, an agreement was signed between IWAI and the UP government for operation of electric catamarans in Varanasi, Ayodhya and Mathura.
Registrar, Nepal Panijahaj Karyalaya (Nepal Shipping Office), ministry of physical infrastructure and transport (Nepal), Bipin Rajbhandari said, “Nepal is the centre of maritime activities, especially with India. Our aim is to propel the sector towards excellence in the future and have already announced multiple initiatives for navigation purposes in the travel, tourism and trade segment.”
He also expressed gratitude towards the government of India for signing a special trade agreement with Nepal, aiming at faster and easier movement of goods via waterways. He added, “This agreement will not only create greater collaboration opportunities for both the nations in trade and tourism sectors but also help in capacity building and training of the existing workforce for further expansion of the maritime sectors across geographies.”
