<h6 data-path-to-node="5" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="0" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Tripartite Concession Paves Way for ₹1,200-Crore Clean River Fleet, Linking Haldia Deepwater Terminals to Prayagraj via Cryogenic Bunkering and Low-Emission Cargo Shuttles</b></h6><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-226" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="6,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="6,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">KOLKATA / VARANASI</b> — In a transformative push toward clean multimodal freight transit across the Gangetic plains, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has formally executed a landmark tripartite concession agreement with a consortium of domestic clean energy infrastructure providers and private riverine logistics operators to finance, build, and deploy <b data-path-to-node="6,0" data-index-in-node="365" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">20 LNG-powered cargo barges</b> along <b data-path-to-node="6,0" data-index-in-node="399" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">National Waterway-1 (NW-1)</b></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="7" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-227" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="7,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">The initiative, finalized under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), operationalizes core directives of the <b data-path-to-node="7,0" data-index-in-node="139" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Harit Nauka</b> framework and the <b data-path-to-node="7,0" data-index-in-node="169" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)</b></span><span data-path-to-node="7,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">. The deployment represents the largest single private-capital mobilization in India's inland water transport sector, designed to offer industrial shippers a dependable, low-emission riverine alternative to long-haul trucking along the crowded NH-2 and NH-19 corridors</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,4" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h5 data-path-to-node="9" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Vessel Engineering, Cryogenic Storage &amp; Shallow-Draft Design</b></h5><p data-path-to-node="10" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-228" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="10,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Built in strict compliance with the Inland Vessels (IV) Act and certified under the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules</span><span data-path-to-node="10,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="10,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">, the 20 newly commissioned LNG-fueled vessels are customized for the river dynamics of the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly system</span><span data-path-to-node="10,3" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="10,4" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="11" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="11,0,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-229" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="11,0,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="11,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Optimized Payload &amp; Draft Metrics:</b> Each barge measures approximately 85 meters in length with a beam of 12.5 meters, engineered with a shallow operational draft of <b data-path-to-node="11,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="164" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">2.2 to 2.8 meters</b> capable of lifting <b data-path-to-node="11,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="201" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">1,500 to 2,000 Deadweight Tonnes (DWT)</b> of dry bulk, bagged cargo, or up to 80 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs)</span><span data-path-to-node="11,0,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="11,0,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="11,1,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="11,1,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Dual-Fuel Cryogenic Propulsion:</b> Outfitted with high-efficiency lean-burn marine dual-fuel engines operating primarily on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), backed by automated electronic pilot-ignition systems to maximize thermal efficiency and slash fuel consumption.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="11,2,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="11,2,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Insulated Fuel Containment:</b> Type-C vacuum-insulated cryogenic fuel tanks mounted above the main cargo deck ensure up to 14 days of continuous cruising autonomy between scheduled bunkering intervals without boil-off gas venting.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="11,3,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-230" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="11,3,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="11,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Hydrodynamic Wake Suppression:</b> Specialized double-chine hull contours minimize hydraulic drag and reduce riverbed wake agitation, protecting riverbank ecosystems, aquatic biodiversity, and community embankments along the Gangetic delta</span><span data-path-to-node="11,3,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="11,3,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h5 data-path-to-node="13" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="13" data-index-in-node="0" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Dedicated River Bunkering Corridors &amp; Fuel Distribution</b></h5><p data-path-to-node="14" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-231" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="14,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">To guarantee fleet turnaround times and uninterrupted fuel supply, the energy consortium will establish dedicated cryogenic bunkering points integrated into existing Multimodal Terminals (MMTs) developed by IWAI</span><span data-path-to-node="14,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="14,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="15" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="15,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="15,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Primary Cryogenic Bunkering Nodes:</b> High-capacity floating bunkering pontoons and truck-to-ship LNG transfer stations are being commissioned at three strategic river crossroads:</p><ol start="1" data-path-to-node="15,0,1" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="15,0,1,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="15,0,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Haldia Multimodal Terminal (West Bengal)</b> — Anchoring coastal-to-inland transshipment connections.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="15,0,1,1,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-232" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="15,0,1,1,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="15,0,1,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Sahibganj / Patna Multimodal Terminals (Jharkhand &amp; Bihar)</b> — Providing mid-corridor fuel replenishment and regional cargo cross-docking</span><span data-path-to-node="15,0,1,1,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="15,0,1,1,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="15,0,1,2,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-233" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="15,0,1,2,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="15,0,1,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Varanasi Multimodal Logistics Hub (Uttar Pradesh)</b> — Serving Northern India's upstream cargo consolidation grid</span><span data-path-to-node="15,0,1,2,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="15,0,1,2,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ol></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="15,1,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-234" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="15,1,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="15,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Secured Cryogenic Feedstock:</b> Fuel supplies will be secured through long-term off-take contracts with state-owned gas utilities (including GAIL and Indian Oil), utilizing cryogenic road tankers to maintain regular tank farm inventory buffers at terminal jetties</span><span data-path-to-node="15,1,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="15,1,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h5 data-path-to-node="17" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="17" data-index-in-node="0" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Cargo Profiling, Freight Economics &amp; Emissions Abatement</b></h5><p data-path-to-node="18" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-235" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="18,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">The deployment of 20 high-capacity LNG barges will transition heavy industrial and agricultural commodities from highway asphalt onto navigable waterways</span><span data-path-to-node="18,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="18,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="19" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="19,0,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-236" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="19,0,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="19,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">High-Volume Cargo Flow:</b> The fleet will transport containerized food grains, sugar, horticultural produce, cement, steel coils, fly ash, and heavy project equipment between Haldia/Kolkata and upstream industrial belts across Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh</span><span data-path-to-node="19,0,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="19,0,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="19,1,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-237" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="19,1,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="19,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">35% Haulage Cost Compression:</b> Moving bulk cargo via LNG river barges cuts total transportation overheads by <b data-path-to-node="19,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="108" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">up to 35% per tonne-kilometer</b> compared to road transport, augmented by operational reimbursements under the central government’s <i data-path-to-node="19,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="237" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Jalvahak</i> incentive scheme</span><span data-path-to-node="19,1,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="19,1,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="19,2,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-238" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="19,2,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="19,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Dramatic Environmental Dividends:</b> Compared to legacy diesel trucking, shifting freight onto LNG river barges eliminates <b data-path-to-node="19,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="120" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">99% of sulfur oxides (<span class="math-inline" data-math="SO_x" data-index-in-node="142" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">$SO_x$</span>)</b>, reduces nitrogen oxides (<span class="math-inline" data-math="NO_x" data-index-in-node="174" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">$NO_x$</span>) by 85%, and curtails overall carbon dioxide emissions by over <b data-path-to-node="19,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="242" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">28% per voyage</b>, eliminating roughly 120,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases annually</span><span data-path-to-node="19,2,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="19,2,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h5 data-path-to-node="21" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="21" data-index-in-node="0" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Policy Alignment &amp; Industry Perspective</b></h5><p data-path-to-node="22" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Speaking at the signing ceremony in Kolkata, senior IWAI and Ministry officials remarked:</p><blockquote data-path-to-node="23" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="23,0" id="p-rc_f08e2fffcc846880-239" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span data-path-to-node="23,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">"The formalization of the 20 LNG-powered barge deployment marks an inflection point for Indian inland waterways under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan</span><span data-path-to-node="23,0,1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="23,0,2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">. We are not merely reviving the historic Ganga trade route; we are doing so with next-generation clean fuel propulsion</span><span data-path-to-node="23,0,3" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="23,0,4" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">. By combining modern shallow-draft hulls with an unbroken LNG fueling corridor, National Waterway-1 becomes an engine for sustainable economic growth, lowering logistics costs while preserving our riverine heritage</span><span data-path-to-node="23,0,5" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1742526798="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1742526798="" class="superscript" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="23,0,6" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">."</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c751612964="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></blockquote><p data-path-to-node="24" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Under the agreed concession timeline, the first tranche of five LNG-powered barges is slated to begin scheduled commercial voyages within 12 months, with the complete fleet of 20 vessels fully operational across the entire Haldia–Varanasi waterway by late 2027.</p>