{"id":125447,"date":"2021-08-11T19:40:37","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T14:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=125447"},"modified":"2021-08-12T11:57:41","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T06:27:41","slug":"connecting-india-by-inland-waterways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/connecting-india-by-inland-waterways\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecting India by inland waterways"},"content":{"rendered":"<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-understand-what-the-new-inland-vessels-bill-is-setting-out-to-achieve-7445960\/\">Indian Express<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Relevance:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Infrastructure development, Inland waterways<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Recently,\u00a0Parliament passed a new law\u00a0to\u00a0bring uniformity in the rules and regulations governing inland waterways and navigation on them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span>The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021\u00a0replaces the century-old Inland Vessels Act, 1917.<\/p>\n<h5><b>Background<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Read here<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-vessels-bill-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Vessels Bill 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Issues with the 1917 Act<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The 1917 Act was seen as a purely consolidating legislation with\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">limited applicability and purposes.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\">It <span data-contrast=\"none\">had <strong>undergone several amendments<\/strong>, the last major ones in 1977 and 2007.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">It had provisions for <strong>restrictive movement<\/strong> of mechanically propelled vessels within the jurisdiction of the state government.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Non-uniform standards and regulations<\/strong> that varied from one State to another.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The government wants to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">promote inland waterways<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0as a supplement to freight movement across India.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Aim and objective of the bill<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It seeks to bring all inland waterways in India and movement of vessels on them for any purpose under a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">central regulatory regime.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is aimed at\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">developing India\u2019s inland waterways<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0as a viable, thriving mode of transport, especially for cargo. The inland waterways network spans close to 15,000 km across rivers, channels, backwaters, creeks etc.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Key features of the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Registration<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0To operate in inland waters, vessels must have a certificate of survey, and registration.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Those with Indian ownership must be registered with the Registrar of Inland Vessels.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u00a0will be valid across India.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">While the state government will issue the certificate, the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">form will be prescribed by the Centre<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0like in the case of motor vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Bill\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">defines mechanically propelled vessel<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">s as ships, boats, sailing vessels, container vessels, and ferries.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Functions of the central government:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u00a0empowers the Centre to prescribe what kind of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">pollutants<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">sewage<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0vessels and can discharge, and how much.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u00a0envisages\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">maintaining a fund, which will be used for emergency preparedness,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0checking pollution and boosting navigation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Centre will\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">frame classification, standards of design, construction<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and crew accommodation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Construction or modification will require approval of a designated authority.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">All such vessels are to be registered with respective states or Union Territories. Their movement and identities will be logged in a central database.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The new law mandates that if any distress or SOS signal is sent out by the master of a vessel, any other vessel nearby must respond like maritime custom and rules on sea.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">In case of accidents, the nearest police station is to be involved for inquiry and action.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Non-compliance will attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for the first offence, and Rs 25,000 for subsequent offences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">However, the Bill has been criticized on the ground that it takes away a lot of rights of the states and vests them with the Centre.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW260019724 BCX0\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/inland-waterways-in-india-issues-and-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW260019724 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW260019724 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Inland waterways<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/inland-waterways-authority-of-india-iwai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW260019724 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW260019724 BCX0\">Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Source:\u00a0Indian Express\u00a0 Relevance:\u00a0Infrastructure development, Inland waterways\u00a0 Synopsis:\u00a0Recently,\u00a0Parliament passed a new law\u00a0to\u00a0bring uniformity in the rules and regulations governing inland waterways and navigation on them.\u00a0The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021\u00a0replaces the century-old Inland Vessels Act, 1917. Background Read here: Indian Vessels Bill 2021 Issues with the 1917 Act The 1917 Act was seen as a purely consolidating&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/connecting-india-by-inland-waterways\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Connecting India by inland waterways<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10328,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,9],"tags":[216,299,8991,6845],"class_list":["post-125447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-public","tag-gs-paper-3","tag-infrastructure","tag-inland-vessels-bill-2021","tag-inland-waterways","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1702367882},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10328"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125447\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}