The Central Government on 16th February, 2022 has commenced the operation of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and related Rules. The Act shall govern all mechanically propelled vessels registered or registered in such laws in force in any country other than India; but endorsed or recognized under this Act for the purpose of plying within inland waterways, special category vessels plying or using inland waterways and all non-mechanically propelled inland vessels. The Inland Vessels Act, 1917 is hereby repealed.
The Act seeks to promote economical and safe transportation and trade through inland waters, to bring uniformity in application of law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country, to provide for safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, and prevention of pollution that may be caused by the use or navigation of inland vessels, to ensure transparency and accountability of administration of inland water transportation, to strengthen procedures governing the inland vessels, their construction, survey, registration, manning, navigation and such other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
