New Delhi, Aug 2: Rajya Sabha Today passed the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 which seeks to promote safe and economical transportation through inland waters while bringing uniformity in the application of the law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country.

The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that he proposed Bill will make the inland waterways sector more attractive to investment resulting in more employment opportunities, more avenues, and more economic development in the State.

The Minister said that presently navigation of mechanically propelled inland vessels plying in inland waters of the country is governed by the Inland Vessels Act, 1917.

“This Act has become obsolete and inadequate to address the increasing complexities of this sector, and the operational bottleneck which inhibits smooth and inter-state movement of inland vessels across the country,” said Sonowal.

The Minister said that the new Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, is designed to encompass trade and transportation by inland vessels throughout the country without any hindrance and would act as a major agent of national integration. (UNI)