Bhubaneswar: Before the drafting of the Odisha Boat Regulations, different stakeholders attended a workshop here today. Apart from collecting feedback in the workshop, there was extensive discussion about the implementation of the Act.
Attending the workshop, Principal Secretary, of the Department of Commerce and Transport, Usha Padhee said that gathering valuable feedback from stakeholders is the main objective of organizing this workshop. It will assist in the preparation and effective implementation of the Act.
The Odisha State Boat Rules (2004) is being amended after 19 years and the focus will be on safety and technology in waterway passenger and cargo transport. This will take shape along the lines of the Central Act. The amended rules will also lead to a rise in passenger and cargo traffic, she added.
“New bylaws will be brought for the waterways in the state in 2 months. It will be prepared in the line of Central laws,” she said.
Former Director General, the Ministry of Shipping, Dr Purnendu Mishra joined as the keynote speaker and said that at the international level, there are beautiful and state-of-the-art waterway transport systems in place. The views and opinions of stakeholders is key to making the new Rules.
Special Secretary, Department of Commerce and Transport Sanjay Mishra attended the event as one of the guests and said that the inland waterway transport system is short and cost-effective. Transportation of heavy goods by water, then by land, is also environment friendly, he said.
Odisha is the first in the country to draft the International New Transport Act, Director of State Ports and Inland Waterways Transport, Padmalochan Raul said. In Chilika, in the coming days solar and electric-powered boats will be running, he added.
The government plans to replace the mechanised boats in use in rivers, lakes, sea and water bodies with solar powered boats for transportation of passengers as well as goods. It aims at reducing environmental pollution and transport cost of water communication.
Insurance company representatives, boat builders, port development agencies, boat owners, boat owners associations attended the workshop. Among others, District Emergency Officers and Government Department officials were also present.
