The Government of India has drafted National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS) Rules to enhance safety and efficiency across its vast network of inland waterways. This initiative, outlined in the draft rules, aims to modernize traffic management and ensure safer vessel operations. These draft rules were published on March 24, 2025 for public comment.
The NRTNS will comprise three key components designed to provide a robust framework for managing inland waterway traffic:
- Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) will monitor and manage vessel movements, including the implementation of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) for real-time tracking and identification of vessels.
VTMS centers will be established at strategic locations along National Waterways and other inland waters to monitor vessel movements and provide navigational support. Their key functions will include continuous monitoring of traffic to prevent collisions, issuing navigational advisories, warnings, and alerts, and coordinating emergency responses.
2. River Information System (RIS) will disseminate crucial information to vessels, including navigational conditions, weather updates, and traffic advisories.
The RIS will provide vessels with real-time information on critical navigational aspects, including water levels, weather updates, and potential hazards. The responsible authority will ensure that the RIS is accessible to all vessels equipped with AIS and inland electronic navigation charts and is regularly updated.
3. Geofencing Technologies will implement geofencing to prevent vessels from entering restricted or hazardous areas. These areas will be clearly marked on inland electronic navigation charts, and regular notices will be issued to vessel masters.
Geofencing technologies will be implemented to define restricted areas along waterways. Vessels must adhere to these boundaries and will receive alerts from the Command Centre if they approach restricted zones. The appropriate authority will identify and designate geofenced areas, which may include environmentally sensitive zones, shallow waters, and navigational hazards.
The appropriate authority will be responsible for establishing the necessary infrastructure and systems for the NRTNS on inland waters. This includes the overall implementation and management of the system, the development and maintenance of the VTMS (including AIS), and ensuring compliance with the outlined rules through regular audits and inspections of both VTMS and vessels. Training and support for vessel crews and personnel involved in river traffic management will also be provided in consultation with the Directorate General of AtoN (DGAtoN).
Additionally, an integrated platform for the NRTNS, incorporating vessel trackers, VTMS, and RIS with interoperability features, will be developed.
All vessels operating on inland waters will be subject to the following mandatory requirements:
- All vessels, including those carrying dangerous goods, will be required to be equipped with a Class B Automatic Identification System that must be operational at all times while navigating, in accordance with the Inland Vessels (Safe Navigation, Communication and Signals) Rules, 2022, and subsequent amendments.
- Vessels must report their position, course, and destination to the nearest VTMS center upon entering inland waters.
- In emergency situations, vessels must communicate with the VTMS center to ensure coordinated responses.
Classification of Inland Waters for Navigation Systems
Inland waterways will be classified into four categories based on their nature and traffic intensity to determine the appropriate navigation system components:
- High-Density Traffic Corridors: Major rivers, canals with high traffic volumes, requiring mandatory AIS Class B, digital tracking, and channel geofencing.
- Moderate-Density Traffic: Waterways with moderate vessel movement, requiring mandatory AIS Class B, simplified digital tracking, and selective channel geofencing.
- Remote or Low-Density (Sparse Traffic): Low vessel traffic areas, requiring mandatory AIS Class B, basic digital tracking, and minimal geofencing.
- Sensitive Ecological Zones: Waterways in environmentally sensitive areas, requiring mandatory AIS Class B with environmental alerts, enhanced digital tracking with environmental data, and strict channel geofencing.
The appropriate authority will develop training programs for personnel involved in the operation and management of the VTMS and aids to navigation. Key performance indicators will be established to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the NRTNS.
Failure to comply with the AIS requirement (switching off AIS or repeatedly not responding to VTMS calls) by mechanically propelled inland vessels, including those registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and fishing vessels, will result in penalties as per Section 87(3) of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021. Water sports vessels are exempt from the AIS requirement.
The draft rules propose that all vessel operators and concerned authorities would be required to comply with the requirements stipulated in these rules within one year from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
Objections or suggestions, if any, to these draft rules may be sent to the Deputy Secretary (IWT), Ministry of
Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Room No. 547, Transport Bhawan, 1-Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001, or by
email at dircoord2-psw@gov.in and uttam.mishra27@gov.in by April 23, 2025.
