In order to ensure the safety, registration, and smooth operation of ships in rivers, the Central Government on Thursday introduced the Inland Vessel Bill 2021 in the Lok Sabha amid uproar by the opposition.
The cabinet had approved the Inland Vessel Bill 2021 only last month
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said while presenting the bill, it will also help in pollution control. The Union Cabinet had approved this bill in June itself. Sonowal said this bill will promote economic and safe transport. It will also bring about uniformity in the application of laws relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country. This will increase transparency and help in fixing the responsibility of the departments.
Presently 4000 km of inland waterways are operational in the country. While giving approval in the cabinet, the government had said that the system of registration and operation of vessels operating in the river is currently under the purview of the Indian Ships Act. This law was enacted in 1917 and has become quite old.
There were many problems with the old law
The government said, at that time all the states had their own regulations. To move from one state to another, permission had to be taken and this created problems. In such a situation, this bill has been brought for the purpose of safety, registration, and smooth operation of ships.