AsiaPorts and Logistics

‘Waterways will be a game changer for the Indian economy,’ shipping minister proclaims

India’s shipping ministry is pushing for more cash from New Delhi to upgrade the nation’s waterways.

Last year, the Narendra Modi government allocated funds to convert 111 stretches of rivers into national waterways. Now Nitin Gadkari, the shipping minister, wants more to be done.

“Waterways will be a game changer for the Indian economy,” he said at the India Investment Summit yesterday, adding: “We are taking a number of steps to harness the full potential of the sector. We have sought enhanced budgetary allocation from the finance minister”.

Gadkari said India’s waterways only transported 3.5% of the nation’s goods – Europe, by contrast, sees 40% of its freight shifted this way.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. Considering the vast network of rivers that India have, it is a good approach to a build infrastructure to use it for transportation.

Back to top button