The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways on Thursday said that Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU)  with MOL (Asia Oceania) Private Limited for transportation of Liquified Natural Gas (LPG) through barges on National Waterways-1 and National Waterways-2.

The Inland Waterways Authority will provide support for facilitating with adequate fairway, handling of LPG cargo on IWAI terminals, multimodal terminals at Haldia, Sahibganj and Varanasi, as per the notified provisions and rates on request of MOL and also to provide Lease Available Depth (LAD) information on fortnightly or monthly basis.

As of now, 60% of the LPG is being transported to different locations at a cost of Rs. 5 to 6 per metric tonne per kilometer, which oil firms are interested in reducing. There are also often issues of transportation strikes, road blockages that trigger transport delays. The key field of interest for businesses, therefore, is the use of rivers in order to provide a cheaper alternative to the current mode of transport, which is both safer and greener.

In addition to the significant characteristics of LPG over other commodities, LPG is a clean cargo with zero leakage and spillage as the goods are treated in a completely closed-loop by pipelines with the utmost safety measures controlled by PNGRB and PESO.

“It is totally wrong and unfair to trouble people”: Mayawati slams govt over rising fuel, prices

LPG price hiked by Rs 50 per cylinder, petrol and diesel rates also on fire

LPG Price Hike: Cooking gas cylinder as rates up by ₹25, to cost ₹794 in Delhi