Q: Why is there a shift towards using waterways for cargo movement in India?
A: The shift towards using waterways for cargo movement is driven by the need for greater sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Waterways provide an alternative and more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Q: What percentage of cargo movement in India currently utilizes waterways?
A: Less than 10 percent of India's extensive coastline and inland waterways are currently utilized for cargo movement.
However, there are plans to increase this percentage in the future.
Q: What are the challenges faced in promoting the use of coastal transport and inland waterways?
A: Challenges include the need for a uniform draft for vessels and the absence of nighttime navigation on many waterways.
Additionally, heavy siltation, narrow paths, and other applications of waterways pose obstacles to efficient cargo movement.
Q: How does Tata Steel plan to reduce its reliance on road transport and increase the use of waterways?
A: Tata Steel aims to greatly increase its use of coastal transport and waterways for cargo movement.
They plan to use appropriate-sized ships for coastal transport and work on improving infrastructure and logistics.
Q: What role do coastal movement and inland waterways play in Tata Steel's supply chain?
A: Tata Steel transports a significant portion of its finished goods by rail and road, with a small percentage by coastal and waterways domestically.
In the future, they plan to increase the use of waterways for domestic cargo movement, particularly in the North-Eastern region.
Q: What are the obstacles in using waterways for cargo movement?
A: Major obstacles include the need for uniform draft for vessels, limitations on cargo capacity per barge, and the absence of nighttime navigation.
Siltation and other activities on waterways also affect cargo movement.
Q: What are the goals for cargo movement through coastal transport and waterways in the future?
A: Tata Steel aims to move close to one million tonnes of cargo through coastal transport and around 100,000 tonnes through waterways.
This will open up river waterways as a viable option for cargo movement.
Q: What makes using waterways for cargo difficult?
A: Challenges include the need for a consistent depth for ships, limits on how much cargo can be carried, and the fact that ships can't navigate at night.
Also, issues like dirt in the water and other activities on waterways can cause problems for cargo transport.
