What's New :
IAS 2025: Target PT Prelims Classes and Tests. Get Details
23rd November 2023 (11 Topics)

E-Commerce cargo movement starts course on NW 1

Context:

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited (Amazon) for promoting cargo movement and transportation using river Ganga (National Waterway 1).

Key Highlights-

MoU for Inland Waterways Transportation

  • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Amazon signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote cargo movement and transportation of customer shipments via the Ganga River (National Waterway 1).
  • The agreement aims to leverage inland waterways, specifically the Ganga, to optimize logistics efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and foster economic development.

Strategic Collaboration for E-commerce Cargo

  • The collaboration signifies a significant advancement in transporting e-commerce cargo through India's inland waterways.
  • This partnership aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of enhancing inland waterways as a sustainable and affordable mode of transportation, contributing to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability

  • Water transport is recognized as the most environmentally friendly mode, consuming significantly less fuel compared to rail and road transport.
  • According to a World Bank Report, rail and road transport consume 5% and 91.6% more fuel than water transport, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Key Stakeholders and Vision

  • The MoU signing ceremony was attended by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, along with other senior officials.
  • The initiative supports the larger goal of increasing inland water transport volumes to over 200 MMT by 2030 and exceeding 500 MMT by 2047, as outlined in the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

E-commerce and Inland Waterways Integration

  • Amazon's collaboration with IWAI allows the company to utilize various modes of transport, including rail, air, water, and surface, ensuring faster, cost-effective, and sustainable delivery of customer packages.
  • The partnership not only benefits Amazon by reducing transportation costs but also opens possibilities for other e-commerce companies to leverage India's extensive inland waterways.

National Waterways of India:

  • National Waterway 1: NW1 starts from Allahabad to Haldia with a distance of 1620 km. The NW1 run through the Ganges, Bhagirathi and Hooghly river system with having fixed terminals at Haldia, Farrakka and Patna and floating terminals at most of the riverside cities like Kolkata, Bhagalpur, Varanasi and Allahabad. It will be the longest National Waterway in India.
  • National Waterway 2: NW2 stretchs on Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam state. The NW2 is one of the major freight transportation waterway of north east India and the third longest Waterway with a total length of 891 km.
  • National Waterway 3: NW3 or the West Coast Canal is located in Kerala state and run from Kollam to Kottapuram. The 205 km long West Coast Canal is India’s first waterway with all-time navigation facility. The NW3 is consist of West Coast Canal, Champakara Canal and Udyogmandal Canal and runs through Kottappuram, Cherthala, Thrikkunnapuzha, Kollam and Alappuzha.
  • National Waterway 4: NW4 connect Kakinada to Pondicherry through canals, tank and River Godavari along with Krishna River. The NW4 the second longest waterway of India with a total lenght of 1095 km in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • National Waterway 5: NW5 connects Orissa to West Bengal using the stretch on Brahmani River, East Coast Canal, Matai River and Mahanadi River The 623 km long canal system will handle the traffic of cargo such as coal, fertilizer, cement and iron.
  • National Waterway 6: NW6 is the proposed waterway in Assam state and will connect Lakhipur to Bhanga at River Barak. The 121 km long waterway will boost trade between Silchar (Assam) to Mizoram.

 

X

Verifying, please be patient.

Enquire Now