Inland Vesseles Bill 2021
Recently, the Inland Vesseles Bill 2021 has been passed in the Lok Sabha.
- This Bill will replace the Inland Vessel Act, 1917. It aims to provide a uniform regulatory framework for inland vessel transport across the country.
- The ideal share of inland waterways transport in India is only 0.5% as compared to the Netherlands (423) and China (8.78). The Bill will strengthen the procedures governing inland ships.
Key provisions:
- According to this bill, the government will determine the classification of mechanically propelled inland vessels, standards of design, construction and type of crew accommodation survey and their periodicity.
- Certificates of survey, registration and insurance policy will be mandatory for ships prior to operation.
It will ensure safe movement of goods and passengers through:
- Shipping safety standards;
- Pollution standards on emissions,
- Investigating all accidents as well as meeting personnel requirements etc.
- The central government will create an ‘electronic database’ on inland ships.
- A development fund will be set up for emergency preparedness, pollution prevention and promotion of inland shipping.
Source – The Hindu
