Efficient Waterways Transportation Requires Closer State-Central Agency Cooperation: MoPSW

TK Ramachandran, the secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, demanded more coordination between state and federal authorities in order to create a comprehensive plan for the development of waterways and maritime transportation throughout India.
During his speech, Ramachandran stressed the significance of a cohesive strategy for overseeing and coordinating the waterway transportation industry. Senior representatives from over thirty states and Union Territories were present at the State Maritime & Waterways Transport Committee (SMWTC) conference.
He went on to say that the advancement of this industry will depend heavily on the coordinated efforts of federal and state entities.
The production of state-specific master plans for maritime and waterway transportation, the creation of regulations for the marine industry, green initiatives, the development of waterways, cruise tourism, urban water transportation, and lighthouse development were the main topics of discussion during the meeting.
A review of the Sagarmala initiative, the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, and prospects for Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax, ferry, and urban water transit were also on the agenda.
In addition, Secretary MoPSW suggested that additional states, including Guwahati, Goa, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Guwahati, may follow the Kochi Water Metro model.
Recognizing the necessity of an integrated approach to oversee and include the waterways transport industry, MoPSW has instituted SMWTCs to synchronise diverse programmes and projects across all states. These committees will play a crucial role in the maritime and waterways industry in terms of organising activities and offering targeted leadership.
The chief secretary or additional chief secretary would preside over each SMWTC, which will also comprise representatives from state PWD, major ports, maritime boards, inland waterways, the departments of tourism and fisheries, railways, NHAI, customs, etc.
As of right now, thirteen states—Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep—have established SMWTCs, and there are plans to do so in all thirty states and union territories in India that border rivers and waterways.