Amazon Seller Services and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on Wednesday inked an settlement to spice up cargo motion alongside the Ganga. A pilot programme is ready to launch on the Patna-Kolkata water route.

Under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Amazon India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IWAI to facilitate containerised cargo motion and set up a community for cargo cargo on inland waterways.

Through this deal, Amazon India is increasing its provide chain to incorporate navigable inland waterways spanning 14,500 km, comprising rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks.

Amazon already has devoted air cargo community in India with launch of Amazon Air in January.

“This MoU with Amazon India marks a significant step towards harnessing the potential of India’s inland water transport. Our focus is on increasing cargo movement through river systems, which is a more sustainable and economical mode of transport,” stated Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Why water transport is termed a sustainable transportation various?

According to a World Bank Report, water transport is recognised as one of the crucial environmentally pleasant mode of transportation, consuming considerably much less gas in comparison with rail and street – 18.5 per cent and 91.6 per cent much less, respectively.

To bolster water transport in India, centre has initiated Sagarmala which has 113 initiatives valued at ₹7,030 crore, specializing in RoRo/RoPax and Inland Water Transport. Among these, 15 initiatives totaling ₹1,100 crore have been efficiently accomplished, whereas 32 initiatives amounting to ₹3,900 crore are at the moment in progress.

The ministry has outlined formidable targets, aiming to extend inland water transport volumes by greater than 200 MMT (million metric tons) by 2030. Furthermore, they aspire to attain a considerable goal of surpassing 500 MMT by 2047, as acknowledged within the official launch.

(Inputs from PTI)