The Government proposes to launch a River Information System (RIS) on lines of Air Traffic Control. RIS is a combination of tracking and meteorological equipment with specialized software designed to optimize traffic and transport processes in inland navigation. The system enables swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and shore (base stations) through advance and real-time exchange of information so as to ensure navigation safety in inland waterways. It also provides virtual navigational aids to guide the vessel during navigation.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has taken up installation of RIS initially in National Waterway-1 (NW-1) on river Ganga, in three phases, viz. Haldia-Farakka, Farakka-Patna, and Patna-Varanasi. RIS in the Haldia-Farakka stretch has already been operationalized and in the other two stretches, it is targeted to be operationalised by December 2016.

All the vessels plying on National Waterways (NWs) need to be made compatible for using RIS. As RIS ensures safety of vessels in navigation, as per the Inland Vessel Act, it will be the responsibility of the states to direct all the vessels to be equipped with RIS compatible equipment. So far, all vessels of IWAI and the vessels of private operators deployed for imported coal movement for Farakka power plant are RIS compatible.

Out of the existing five National Waterways, NW-1, 2 and 3 have been developed with targeted depth, navigational aids and terminal facilities with storage and mechanized handling facilities. These NWs have been made operational and vessels are plying on them. “Jal Marg Vikas” project for capacity augmentation of NW-1 between Haldia and Allahabad (1620 km), has been initiated with assistance from the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs. 4200 crore. The project, inter-alia envisages three multi-modal terminals with rail and road connectivity at Varanasi, Sahebganj and Haldia.

NW- 4 and 5 are yet to be made operational for which various studies/ developmental works are underway. Dredging of fairway and construction of temporary terminals has recently started in NW-5.

In view of the importance of the inland water transport and its potential to be a supplementary mode of transport to rail and road networks, the Government has launched an ambitious plan of developing 106 more inland waterways identified in 24 States, for which a National Waterways Bill, 2015 has been passed by the LokSabha.

The above information was given by Minister of State for Shipping Shri Pon Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source Ministry of Shipping 25-February, 2016

Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the River Information System (RIS) System at a function in New Delhi today. The first of its kind in India, the new system will facilitate safe and accurate navigation on National Waterway – 1 on the Ganges River. RIS is being implemented under the overall responsibility of Inland Waterway Authority of India, a statutory body administered by the Ministry of Shipping.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Gadkari said while it remains a challenge how to develop the waterways of the country, the River Information System is a major step in realizing the dream of waterways. He said that the Phase- II of the System from Farakka to Patna and Phase-III from Patna to Varanasi will also be implemented on priority.

River Information Services (RIS) are combination of modern tracking equipment related hardware and software designed to optimize traffic and transport processes in inland navigation. The system enhances swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and shore (Base stations) through advance and real-time exchange of information. RIS aims to streamline the exchange of information between waterway operators and users. This would facilitate:-

• Enhancement of inland navigation safety in ports and rivers.

• Better use of the inland waterways

• Environmental protection

RIS enables achievement of safe and efficient inland water transport by avoiding the following risks:-

i) Ship- to – Ship collisions

ii) Ship – Bridge collisions

iii) Groundings

Installation of an efficient and effective River Information Service (RIS) system on the Sagar- Farakka stretch of NW-1 is akin to the systems under operation in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, China & USA. In this project the vessels are being monitored by installing 7 remote (base station site) at the Haldia, Garden Reach (GR) Jetty, Tribeni, Swaroopganj, Kumarpur, Ballia and Farakka at a cost of Rs. 26.23 crores. There would be two control centers at Farakka and GR Jetty. Both the control stations will monitor the vessels plying in this river stretch via Automatic Identification System (AIS) and will communicate with Vessels via VHF. Under this project, there are 30 vessels which are also equipped with Inland AIS system, short range radar and VHF. The AIS data and voice communication of the vessel will be monitored and recorded at the control stations (Farakka and GR Jetty) and can be retrieved/ replayed whenever needed. The vessels can be guided from the control station via VHF and operator can provide the necessary instruction to the vessel.

Trained operators would monitor the activities round the clock and provide the necessary instructions and guidance to the vessel for safe navigation.

The RIS system is subsequently being extended upto Varanasi in two more phases. In Phase-II, the stretch from Farakka to Patna (410 Km.) will be covered by establishment of six base and one control stations at an estimated cost of Rs. 15.89 crore and the Phase-III will cover from Patna to Varanasi (356 Km.) with 4 base and one control stations at an estimated cost of Rs. 14.49 crores.