ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has prepared a study on developing inland waterways transportation (IWT) in Pakistan and, while considering it socio-economically viable, says the mode is likely to result in major economic gains for the country as demonstrated by freight and passenger flow projections.

In its ‘Inland Waterways Transport Study in Pakistan’, made available to Dawn on Wednesday, the World Bank suggested creation of an Inland Waterways Authority (IWA) under the maritime affairs ministry in order to institutionalise arrangements for developing the IWT in Pakistan.

The maritime affairs ministry has requested the World Bank to provide technical support to launch the development of the promising sector.

The IWT is an efficient, cost-effective and environment-friendly way to move freight over long distances. As international experiences show, it can also be a viable mode on shorter distances and for non-bulk commodities once the conditions are right. Efficient use of waterways to transport cargo can reduce transport cost, fuel consumption, road congestion and vehicle emissions.

Study shows it can reduce transport cost, save fuel, cut vehicle emissions

According to the study, the IWT development can lead to safety benefits with the replacement of heavy goods vehicles which are responsible for an alarmingly significant number of traffic accidents each year.

In Pakistan, a modal shift from road transport to inland navigation would also significantly boost the economy by lowering logistics costs and providing support to local communities along waterways.

Pakistan’s elaborate river and canal systems hold immense untapped potential for developing inland waterways transport. The National Transport Master Plan envisages the revival of IWT in the country via the Indus River System, which comprises the River Indus, its four major tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej) and 10 smaller rivers (Kabul, Swat, Chitral, Shyok, Gilgit, Kurram, Gomal, Hunza, Soan and Suru).

Reviving the IWT will not only provide road networks with much-needed relief by providing an alternative cost-efficient mode for moving people and for freight but also reduce the transport sector’s overall carbon footprint, says the study.

However, the lack of an institutional, legal and regulatory framework has inhibited the development of the sector despite the advantages it has to offer. Currently, it is not possible to utilise the IWT potential because there is no entity responsible for this sector and the management of inland waterways is divided amongst several institutions.

Among the five major and more than 75 smaller rivers in Pakistan, the Indus is the longest as well as the largest river in terms of average annual flow. The river has 16 tributaries and the Chenab flows into it with its own set of three major rivers and several tributaries. It has six main barrages with 18 major perennial canals, with some providing links between the various rivers under the Indus Water Treaty.

The current inland waterway and infrastructure conditions have serious limitations which hinder the development of a modern and fit-for-future IWT system. These include limited navigability, missing port connections, absence of terminals and a lack of standardised locks and vessels.

The Karachi Port and Port Qasim are 110km and 130km away from the mouth of the River Indus. Between its mouth and Kotri Barrage, the Indus almost dries up during winter months. Uninterrupted connectivity between the ports and the Indus would require the development of linkages with ports that are accessible throughout the year.

In the past, the IWT fell victim to high initial investments and was abandoned. As an alternative mode of transportation, it should be introduced in phases depending on response of stakeholders, the study suggests.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2021