Sailing Through Solar: What Happens When Sun Meets Water?

The Union Ministry of Water Transport has announced its plan to convert 1,000 cargo and passenger vessels to solar energy over the next five years.

This initiative is part of the government’s effort to revamp inland water transport, making it more eco-friendly and cost-efficient.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the system’s success: “We are starting with cargo vessels and will gradually cover passenger vessels too.”

This push comes as the volume of cargo movement has seen significant growth, from 18 metric tons in 2014 to 133 metric tons now.

The ministry also plans to raise its investment in inland water transport to ₹50,000 crore by 2030, a significant jump from ₹7,000 crore allocated since 2014.

Projects worth ₹1,400 crore were recently launched across 21 states, including a National River Traffic and Navigation System to enhance operations and reduce dependency on road and rail networks.

Additionally, a new project called “Jal Bahak” will offer incentives of up to 35% for transporters opting for water transport on National Waterways 1 (Ganga) and 2 (Brahmaputra).

Urban water transport systems will also be introduced in 15 cities, including Guwahati, with regional centers for skill development and capacity enhancement.

Since 2014, India’s national waterways have seen remarkable growth, with a 767% increase in operational waterways and a 635% rise in cargo volume, followed by a 233% surge in investments.

Cargo traffic has grown in a decade from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, with a CAGR of over 22%. The Jalvahak scheme, offering a 35% incentive to promote inland water transport, is now being extended to other waterways across states and union territories.

As the government takes bold steps, this initiative is set to transform India’s water transport, making it cleaner, greener, and more efficient for future generations.