Inland Water Transport (IWT) is already included under the Transport Subsidy Scheme (TSS), 1971.

Further, a clarification has been issued by this Department in September, 2012 clarifying that an industrial unit, located in North Eastern Region (NER) will be eligible for subsidy equivalent to 90% of the transport cost for transportation by IWT from Dhubri to any other location on the Brahmaputra river right up to Sadiya along the National Waterway-2 and thereafter by road to the manufacturing unit and vice-versa, in respect of raw materials which are brought into and finished goods which are taken out of NER subject to provisions of Transport Subsidy Scheme, 1971.

Inland Water Transport is likely to reduce costs and time taken for transportation of raw material and finished goods and thus improve the competitiveness of industry in North East.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Dr. D. Purandeswari, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

DS/RK

(Release ID :95196)

Transport subsidy eligibility for inland water transport expanded to cover Dhubri-Sadiya corridor with road onward for North East industry. Industrial units in the North Eastern Region are eligible under the Transport Subsidy Scheme, 1971 for subsidy equal to 90% of transport cost for inland water transport from Dhubri along National Waterway 2 to Sadiya and thereafter by road to the manufacturing unit, and for the reverse movement, in respect of inbound raw materials and outbound finished goods, subject to the Scheme's provisions.