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Right cargo-vessel-waterway matrix eludes India

April 30: India needs an agency to co-ordinate cargo volumes, water levels in the rivers and the number of vessels available at any given point in time, a source observed.

Though India has enough cargo to move through the waterways as well as vessels and waterways for the better part of the year, the main challenge is the right combination of all three are often not available, the source said.

“The waterways dry up in the off-seasons. When cargo and adequate water levels are there, then we do not have an adequate number of vessels to carry the cargo. When the waterways have adequate levels and vessels are available then the cargo volumes decrease. It is very difficult to have all three together at a single point in time,” said the source, adding that there is no agency to co-ordinate all three factors and make these available together to end-users. Also, the number of inland vessels in India is far lower than that actually required.

The cost of carrying coal and other dry bulk cargo through waterways is cheaper than the cost of carrying the same by rail or road transport. Percentage-wise, it would be one-fourth of road and rail, said the source.

“Water transportation of cargo is definitely cheaper than road and rail. However, one must keep in mind that if the waterway transportation distance is more, then the economics work out better. Also, larger the capacity of the vessels, the transportation viability improves,” the source observed.