Current Affairs-Topics

Union Minister Sonowal Launches National River Traffic and Navigation System

On January 11, 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) intending to improve the safety and efficiency of inland waterway transportation.

India Unveils NRT&NS for Waterway Safety

On January 11, 2025, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, introduced the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) at the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kaziranga, Assam. This initiative is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of inland waterway transport throughout India.

Key Developments at the IWDC Meeting

Investment Announcements

The IWDC meeting outlined plans for investments exceeding ₹50,000 crore over the next five years to strengthen infrastructure along national waterways. Additionally, projects worth over ₹1,400 crore were announced across 21 Inland Waterway States.

Policy Initiatives

A major policy initiative, the Riverine Community Development Scheme, was introduced to improve the socio-economic conditions of coastal communities. The scheme focuses on enhancing infrastructure, boosting trade and tourism, and offering skill development training to improve the quality of life for people living along the National Waterways.

Infrastructure Enhancements

The meeting also emphasized plans to establish shipbuilding and ship repair facilities across all National Waterways. This initiative aims to lower logistics costs, boost related industries, and create job opportunities for communities along the waterways.

Performance and Growth in Inland Waterways

Cargo Movement: From April to November 2024, National Waterways have experienced a nearly 7% growth in cargo movement compared to the previous year, reflecting a positive trend in inland waterway transport.

Cruise Tourism: The cruise tourism sector has seen substantial growth, with the number of river cruise vessels rising from 3 in 2013-14 to 25 in 2023-24. The newly launched ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ aims to promote cruise tourism by developing 10 sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas over the next five years.

Regional Developments

In Andhra Pradesh, the Union Minister revealed plans to set up six floating steel jetties along the Godavari River (NW 4) at sites such as Gandipochamma Temple, Pochavaram, and Perantapalli village. A feasibility study for the Penna River (NW 79) was also announced, along with the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for NW 4 to collect further development inputs.

In Conclusion

The introduction of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) marks a significant step toward modernizing India's inland waterway transport. With substantial investments, new policy initiatives, and infrastructure enhancements, the government aims to boost trade, improve logistics efficiency, and create employment opportunities.

The growth in cargo movement and cruise tourism further highlights the sector’s potential. As regional developments continue, India’s inland waterways are set to become a more sustainable and competitive mode of transport, benefiting local communities and the national economy.

More Related Articles

8th Pay Commission Update

The 8th Pay Commission, approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025, is a significant milestone for central government employees and pensioners. Scheduled to roll out from January 1, 2026, this revi

Extreme Poverty Free State

In a historic development for India’s social development journey, Kerala becomes the first extreme poverty-free state. The announcement will be officially made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Article 371 for Ladakh Explained

In a significant political development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed granting Article 371 for Ladakh-like provisions during recent discussions with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the K

NHAI 3D Laser Survey

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a significant step towards modernising national highway maintenance with the deployment of 3D laser-based Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) acros

Swachhata Campaign India 2025

The Swachhata Campaign India 2025 is making headlines as the Special Campaign 5.0 enters its implementation phase from October 2 to 31, 2025, across Indian government offices. This initiative has been

Chandrayaan-2 CME Observation

India’s Chandrayaan-2 CME observation has achieved a remarkable milestone by making the first-ever observation of the sun’s coronal mass ejection (CME) effects on the Moon. This br

India Forest Area Ranking 2025

India has made significant progress in forest conservation and ecological restoration, achieving remarkable results in the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Foo

FSSAI ORS Ban 2025

The FSSAI ORS ban has recently been implemented to prohibit the use of the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on food labels and advertisements, as it was found to be misleading to

ISRO Chandrayaan-2’s CHACE-2 Observations

In a remarkable scientific achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that its Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter, equipped with the CHACE-2 instrument, has made the first-e

Digital Uttarakhand AI Adoption

The Digital Uttarakhand AI adoption initiative took a major leap forward with the successful hosting of the Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025 on 17 October 2025 at Hotel Ramada, Dehradun. Organise

Toppers

anil kumar
Akshay kuamr
geeta kumari
shubham