**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 290 on August 8, 2025, regarding the Green Waterways Initiative, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways provided the following information:
a. The International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay, scheduled to be operational in 2028, has received in-principle approval from the Department of Expenditure (DoE). The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently underway.
b. & c. To develop green waterways, the Central Government has launched the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) and Harit Nauka guidelines (Green transition guidelines for Inland vessels). The GTTP aims to transition from diesel to green tugs by 2040. Phase I of the GTTP includes four major ports, each procuring two green tugs. The Harit Nauka guidelines focus on realizing the full potential of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) as an environmentally friendly and sustainable transportation mode. The GTTP supports the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision-2047, targeting a reduction in port vessel emissions. These initiatives contribute to achieving a sustainable maritime ecosystem, aligning with the International Maritime Organization's Greenhouse Gas (IMO GHG) Strategy under UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 by 2030.
Key Entities Referenced
Green Waterways Initiative: A government initiative focused on developing environmentally friendly waterways.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping and waterways.
International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay: A proposed port project at Galathea Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP): A program to transition from diesel to green tugs by 2040.
Harit Nauka guidelines: Green transition guidelines for Inland vessels to develop green waterway.
Inland Waterway Transport (IWT): An environment friendly and sustainable transportation mode.
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: A vision to cut port vessel emissions.
International Maritime Organization Greenhouse Gas (IMOGHG) Strategy: A plan towards achieving sustainable maritime ecosystem under UN sustainable development goal 13 by 2030
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *290
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
GREEN WATERWAYS INITIATIVE
*290. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) the present status of International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay
which is scheduled to be operationalised in 2028;
(b) the detail of projects initiated and funds provided to develop Green Waterway Initiative
through harbour craft green transmission and Green Tug Transition programmes in the
country; and
(c) the Government’s plan towards achieving sustainable maritime ecosystem of International
Maritime Organization Greenhouse Gas (IMOGHG) Strategy under UN sustainable
development goal 13 by 2030?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. *290 FOR 08TH AUGUST, 2025 RAISED BY SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE
REGARDING “GREEN WATERWAYS INITIATIVE”
(a) The project has received in-principle approval from the Department of Expenditure (DoE).
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP)
at Galathea Bay is underway.
(b) & (c) The Central Government launched the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP)
and Harit Nauka guidelines (Green transition guidelines for Inland vessels) to develop green
waterway. The aim of GTTP is to shift from diesel to green tugs by 2040. Harit Nauka
guidelines focus on realizing the complete potential of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) as an
environment friendly and sustainable transportation mode. Phase-I covers four major ports,
each procuring two green tugs. GTTP supports Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision-2047 to cut port
vessel emissions.
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