House clears Inland Vessels Bill

The Bill, according to Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways T R Baalu, was necessitated in view of the expanding inland water transport activities.

The amendment which will be made to the original Act of 1917 has already been approved by the Rajya Sabha. The legislation would help divide inland water into three different zones, ease induction of trained manpower from the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, facilitate insurance of vessels and prevent pollution of water.