The Centre has fasttracked measures to promote coastal shipping and inland water transport to ferry goods and people through the country’s waterways, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping has said.
Speaking at the inaugural session of second Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transport business summit here on Friday through video conference, he said shipping and water transport was the key to increasing GDP. He said waterways provided an economical and eco-friendly mode of transport, while also decongesting highways. Boosting water transport will also revive tourism and water sports. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy attributed high proportion of cargo moved through waterways in China, Europe and United States to government initiatives. “It is very unfortunate that in spite of the inherent advantages and many known benefits, we have not been successful in utilising their immense potential. Tariff and service standards at the port should be reviewed to promote the sector,” he said.