Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) today called on eligible individuals and bodies who have not yet registered as electors/voters to submit registration applications no later than June 2, so that their registration particulars can be included in the final registers of electors/voters to be published this year, and vote in the elections to be held this year.

Hong Kong permanent residents who hold an identity document, will reach 18 years old by September 25 this year and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong are eligible to register as geographical constituency electors.

Registered electors/voters need not register again, but if there are changes to their registration particulars, they should submit applications for change of particulars to the REO by June 2.

Eligible citizens are welcome to submit applications for new registration as geographical constituency electors or change of voter registration particulars through iAM Smart. They may also provide or update their mobile phone number and email address, and check their voter registration status through the app.

Alternatively, citizens can register by filling in application forms which are available on the Voter Registration website for download. Hard copies can obtained at District Offices, the management offices of public housing estates and the REO.

Completed forms can be sent by post to the Registration & Electoral Office, 29/F, Standard Chartered Tower, Millennium City 1, 388 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon; by fax to 2891 1180; by email to form@reo.gov.hk, or via the REO e-Form Upload Platform.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau today invited tenders for two Light Public Housing (LPH) operation and management contracts. The deadline is noon on June 13.

The first contract covers four school conversion projects. These are at the Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad No. 2 Primary School on Shun On Road in Shun On Estate, Kwun Tong; the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Ma Kam Chan Memorial Primary School (Choi Yuen Annex) on Choi Yuen Road in Choi Yuen Estate, Sheung Shui; the Carmel Leung Sing Tak School on Shun Lee Tsuen Road in Shun On Estate, Kwun Tong; and the Baptist Rainbow Primary School on Chuk Yuen Road in Chuk Yuen South Estate, Wong Tai Sin.

The conversion works will be completed in two phases. The first covers the two projects on Shun On Road and Choi Yuen Road, which will provide about 130 and 110 units respectively. These are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

The second phase covers the two projects on Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road, which will provide about 110 and 105 units respectively. These are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

The second contract covers the project at Sheung On Street, Chai Wan, which will provide about 1,720 units and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year.

The bureau said the four school conversion projects have been packaged into one single contract in light of their relatively smaller scale. By engaging a single operator for the contract’s overall operation and management, resources can be shared among the projects to enhance cost-effectiveness, it explained.

The contracts cover not only occupancy management, property management and daily maintenance services, but also the provision of social services, as well as the management and operation of ancillary facilities.

Tenders are invited from all capable and experienced service providers, including non-government organisations and those with a valid property management company licence, or collaborations between such providers.

To ensure service quality, the bureau will carry out technical assessments based on factors including providers’ management capabilities, relevant experience and past service performance, as well as their proposed modes of operation and management, the social services to be provided, the feasibility of their exit plans, and their use of innovation and information technology.

Each tender price will then be evaluated to form a consolidated assessment to decide on the most suitable organisation for the LPH contracts.

Interested organisations may download the tender documents via the bureau’s website or from the e-Tendering System. They can also contact the bureau’s Dedicated Team on Light Public Housing to obtain the relevant documents.

The tender reference for the Shun On Road, Choi Yuen Road, Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road LPH projects is HB2025/OPR-LPH-VSP, while the tender reference for the Sheung On Street, Chai Wan LPH project is HB2025/OPR-LPH-CW.

Tenders must be submitted before the deadline, either electronically via the e-Tendering System or by deposit in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at the public entrance lobby on Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Cheung Chau Climbing Carnival, an integral part of the 2025 Bun Carnival, will be held at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch on Cheung Chau this Sunday from noon to 6pm.

Participants must be at least one metre in height and can enrol on the spot to climb the 14-metre bun tower that will be used for the Bun Scrambling Competition, due to be held on May 5 and 6.

The Hong Kong, China Mountaineering & Climbing Union will brief entrants on the skills required and various safety aspects before they begin climbing.

Meanwhile, visitors can make wishes at a Wishing Bun Tower at the venue. Other carnival activities and attractions include variety shows, handicraft workshops and game booths, as well as an exhibition of winning works from Student Drawing Competitions.

One of the game booths will be geared towards promoting public participation in athlete selections for mass participation events at the 15th National Games.

Prior to the climbing carnival, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay event – also part of the 2025 Bun Carnival – will be held from 9am to noon.

Members of the public are invited to attend all of the day’s events and cheer for participants.

Click here for more details.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of April 24, President Lai Ching-te presided over the fourth meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. In his opening statement, the president stated that the government will steadily implement a carbon pricing system, carefully plan a Taiwan version of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and assist enterprises to gradually compile a product carbon footprint digital database, while promoting the circular economy and industry internationalization to create a Green Taiwan brand. He also stated that we will leverage our financial market, driving society as a whole to take sustainable action; and expand capacity to foster green-collar professionals, laying the foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable future.
President Lai emphasized that regardless of how the external environment changes, green transition and sustainable development are the cornerstones of long-term national prosperity. He stated that the government will work with the private sector to turn crises into opportunities and actively address the challenges of climate change and net-zero transition to promote an orderly transition. This, he said, will keep the nation on the path forward, make Taiwan stronger, better, and more resilient, and leave a prosperous and sustainable homeland for future generations.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Today is the fourth meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. First, I would like to once again thank all of the advisors and committee members for your active participation over the past several months. The valuable suggestions you have provided allowed us to propose new emissions reduction targets at the last meeting as we continue to move toward our vision of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The day before yesterday was Earth Day, and I was in this same room to meet and exchange ideas with many friends from environmental protection groups. I am very grateful to these forerunners and partners for their efforts and contributions to protect this land, Taiwan.
Amidst global climate change and the reshaping of international trade patterns, extreme weather disasters occur frequently around the world and requirements for carbon reduction in international supply chains continue to expand. The government of the United States has also recently proposed new tariff policies that present Taiwan’s industries with many challenges. 
We have observed that as many industries are facing increased uncertainty in their operations, the private sector has adopted a wait-and-see attitude regarding carbon reduction and environment, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. In response, the administrative team is actively assessing the situation and continuously adjusting strategies; it will definitely support our industries. 
However, regardless of how the external environment changes, green transition and sustainable development are the cornerstones of long-term national prosperity. We must remain committed to resilient and forward-looking strategies to promote the transition to low-carbon models and sustainable development for domestic industries, build comprehensive green supply chains, enhance the international competitiveness of our industries, and bolster our national strengths.
The government will work with the private sector to turn crises into opportunities, and actively address the challenges of climate change and net-zero transition. This will allow Taiwan’s economy to continue transitioning and progressing and remain committed to moving toward low-carbon and sustainable models. This will also keep the nation on the path forward and make Taiwan stronger, better, and more resilient.
At today’s meeting, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) will deliver a report on responding to ongoing changes and seizing opportunities for green transition, and the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) will report on financing for the green and energy transition to support Taiwan’s net-zero efforts. Those reports will explain how the administrative team is strengthening climate governance and execution, as well as how they are assisting various sectors to face challenges, align with international standards, seize opportunities, and jointly move toward a new low-carbon and sustainable future.
The government will steadily implement a carbon pricing system and align with international standards to avoid foreign tariff penalties on high-carbon industries, which will ensure a competitive advantage for exports. We will also carefully plan a Taiwan version of the CBAM to maintain reasonable and fair domestic competition.
The government will assist enterprises, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, by providing carbon reduction tools such as carbon footprint verification and ESG disclosure, and will gradually compile a product carbon footprint digital database and support export enterprise efforts to meet international requirements. At the same time, we will drive resource integration and promote the circular economy and industry internationalization to create a Green Taiwan brand.
In promoting net-zero transition, the financial sector plays a crucial role. By designing diverse investment and financing tools and financial products, and incorporating ESG factors into credit assessments, the financial sector can lead the way for enterprises and the public to take climate risks seriously. At the same time, it can support the development of low-carbon industries, thereby driving society as a whole to take sustainable action.
Taiwan is a major financial market in Asia. On a solid foundation in ESG and sustainable finance, we must leverage our financial market, contributing Taiwan’s wisdom and strength to achieve the global net-zero transition.
At the last meeting, I mentioned that strengthening social communication and climate change education are very important. Currently, the Executive Yuan, MOENV, and central government agencies have launched a series of social communication meetings regarding the proposed flagship carbon reduction projects for six major sectors, namely energy, manufacturing, transportation, residential and commercial, agricultural, and environment. At these meetings, representatives are invited from industry, government, academia, research institutions, and civil society groups to actively engage in dialogue and forge a consensus through collaborative thinking about climate solutions.
In addition, the MOENV is collaborating with colleges and universities to establish an alliance to foster professionals in the net-zero and green-collar sectors. To this end, it will set up separate training centers in the north, central, southern, and eastern regions to expand capacity to train green-collar professionals. I also hope that, in addition to lectures given on university campuses, online courses on climate and net-zero topics can be designed specifically for high school students and teachers.
Because we cannot leave anyone behind on the path to net-zero, we must actively engage in dialogue with young people and gradually prepare them to enter emerging green sector jobs to empower the nation and lay the foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable future.
Let’s work together with the financial sector, industry, and all sectors of society to promote an orderly transition, achieve our vision for net-zero emissions by 2050, and leave a prosperous and sustainable homeland for future generations. Thank you. 
Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on responding to ongoing changes and seizing opportunities for green transition from Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) and a report on financing for the green and energy transition to support Taiwan’s net-zero efforts from FSC Chairperson Peng Jin-lung (彭金隆). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Home Affairs Department today appealed to registered electors for the Ha Ling Pei and Ho Chung Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Elections, and for the Tung Chun Wai Resident Representative Election, to vote in the Rural By-election on Sunday.

Eleven Rural Representative vacancies are open in the by-election, and 13 valid nominations were received during the nomination period.

Two candidates are running for an Indigenous Inhabitant Representative post on the Tung Chung Rural Committee in Ha Ling Pei, while three candidates are standing for an Indigenous Inhabitant Representative post on the Sai Kung Rural Committee in Ho Chung. Two candidates are running for a Resident Representative post on the San Tin Rural Committee in Tung Chun Wai.

The other six candidates have been returned uncontested. These are the candidates to be Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives of Kap Tong, of Ping Tun, and of Kwun Yam Shan and Kong Pui, and the candidates to be Resident Representatives of Tai Po Tau, Wai Tau Tsuen and Kwong Shan Tsuen.

No valid nominations were received for the Resident Representative vacancies in Wu Shek Kok and Kam Shan Village.

Polling will be held from noon to 7pm.

The department reminded electors to bring their original identity documents or other specific alternative documents to the polling station as specified in the polling notice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Hao, leading the delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Zhejiang respectively, held the High-Level Meeting cum the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference (the meeting-cum-plenary) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, today (April 24). Both sides witnessed the establishment of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism, symbolising a new stage of all-round exchanges and co-operation between the two places. The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji, also attended the meeting-cum-plenary.

     Officials of the HKSAR Government that attended the meeting-cum-plenary included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.

     Hong Kong and Zhejiang reached a consensus on the following 13 co-operation areas at the meeting-cum-plenary:

Joint pursuit of the Belt and Road development and business investment
———————————————————————-

     Strengthen co-operation on the Belt and Road Initiative between the two places. Encourage Zhejiang enterprises to actively participate in the Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong. Encourage Zhejiang enterprises to actively participate in relevant exchange and interface sessions organised by relevant authorities in Hong Kong.
 
     Promote the co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang in the field of professional services. Support the introduction of Hong Kong management consulting, accounting, design, legal and dispute resolution service agencies.
 
     Continue to actively promote collaboration and exchanges on intellectual property between the two places through publicity initiatives and seminars.
 
Finance
———-

     Support Zhejiang Province in collaborating with the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and relevant securities institutions to organise and conduct business training to address enterprises’ inquiries regarding listing in Hong Kong.

     Encourage enterprises in Zhejiang Province and financial institutions in Hong Kong to engage in exchanges and co-operation.

Innovation and technology
——————————

     Jointly promote co-operation in technology research and development between Hong Kong and Zhejiang. Support higher education institutions, research institutes and enterprises in Hong Kong and Zhejiang to jointly launch research initiatives to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, develop strategic emerging industries, and foster the development of future industries.

     Actively establish a two-way sci-tech financial investment and financing channel, and actively support Zhejiang’s high-tech enterprises in listing and raising funds, issuing local and foreign currency bonds in Hong Kong, etc.

     Encourage and support technology entities in Hong Kong and Zhejiang to take the lead in the establishment of technology co-operation platforms, and set up research and development centres, etc.

Aviation
———-

     Increase the frequency of flights between Hong Kong and the three airports in Hangzhou, Ningbo and Wenzhou in accordance with the market situation.

     Enhance the exchange of advanced airport management experience between airport personnel in Hong Kong and Zhejiang.
 
Legal and dispute resolution
——————————

     Continue to proactively support law firms of the two places to establish partnership associations and set up branches in each other’s places.

     Promote co-operation between the arbitral institutions of the two places in the arbitration of civil and commercial disputes in the areas of international trade, investment, maritime commerce, etc.

     Support and promote the expansion of exchange platforms for legal, arbitration, mediation, and other professional services between the two places.

Cultural exchange and tourism
——————————

     Strengthen cultural and tourism exchanges between the two places.

     Strengthen the exchanges and collaboration between the museums and arts and cultural institutions of Hong Kong and Zhejiang, and jointly organise international exhibitions.

Education
———-

     Promote the development of the Zhejiang-Hong Kong Vocational Education Alliance. Effectively carry out visits to Zhejiang for Mainland study tours of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development and Mainland study tours for teachers.

     Facilitate more schools in the two places in forming sister school pairs for conducting exchange activities in diverse forms.

     Encourage higher education institutions in Zhejiang Province to further deepen co-operation with higher education institutions in Hong Kong and carry out various forms of collaborative projects, such as joint scientific research, academic seminars, and teacher-student exchanges.

Youth development
——————–

     Actively explore the introduction of a quality internship programme in Zhejiang under the Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland.
 
    Support Hong Kong youths to participate in short-term experiential programmes at innovation and entrepreneurial bases in Zhejiang.
 
     Encourage and support Hong Kong youth entrepreneurial teams funded under the Youth Development Fund of the Government of the HKSAR to expand their businesses to Zhejiang.
 
Health and Chinese medicine
——————————

     Strengthen exchanges and co-operation between the two sides in areas such as clinical talents, primary healthcare and hospital management.

     Support Hong Kong service providers to develop Hong Kong-Zhejiang joint ventures, co-operative medical institutions and wholly owned medical institutions in accordance with the law.

     Expedite academic and talent exchanges in Chinese medicine between the two places, and strengthen co-operation in the area of international standardisation of Chinese medicine.

Environmental protection
——————————

     Promote the implementation of the co-operation agreement signed between the Radiation Monitoring Technical Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Hong Kong Observatory. Support technical staff of both sides in conducting regular technical discussions.

     Strengthen technical exchanges and co-operation in the field of carbon monitoring.

     Strengthen exchanges and discussions between Hong Kong and Zhejiang in areas such as environmental protection-related industry and technological innovation.

Housing
———-

     The two parties will engage in collaborative exchanges encompassing innovative housing technologies, intelligent construction, resource conservation, as well as low-carbon and emission-reduction initiatives.

     The two parties will strengthen collaboration in innovative housing technologies, smart estate management, and the development of harmonious communities through reciprocal visits and professional training exchanges.

Talent and civil service exchange
——————————

     Strengthen communication and connections with renowned schools in Hong Kong.
 
     Continue to promote and deepen exchanges between civil servants from both sides, and launch a new round of the exchange programme under the guidance of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Facilitation measures for Hong Kong people on the Mainland
————————————————————

     Fully implement the policies and measures introduced by the relevant Central Government departments to facilitate the development of Hong Kong and Macao residents on the Mainland, and facilitate Hong Kong people studying, working and living in Zhejiang.

     Explore the expansion of the scope of application of the Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents in various government and public services in Zhejiang.

Co-operation memorandum signing ceremony
—————————————-

     At the meeting-cum-plenary, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government Mr Lu Shan, signed the “Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism” and the “Co-operation Memorandum of the High-Level Meeting cum First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference”. The documents (Chinese only) are in Annex 1 and Annex 2.

     In addition, four co-operation agreements were signed by government departments and statutory bodies of the two places:

(i) Memorandum of Understanding on Enhancing Zhejiang/Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation;
(ii) Letter of Intent on Strengthening Exchanges and Co-operation in Innovative Housing Technologies, Smart Estate Management and Well-being Community;
(iii) Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting High-Quality Economic and Trade Co-operation; and
(iv) Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting Youth Development Co-operation.

     The co-operation agreements (i), (ii) and (iv) signed by the government departments of the two places (Chinese only) are in Annexes 3 to 5.

Source: Government of India

India Achieves Breakthrough in Gene Therapy for Haemophilia, Dr. Jitendra Singh Reviews BRIC-inStem Trials

“Not Just Science, It’s Nation-Building”: Minister Hails Biotech’s Role in Future Economy

From Lab to Life: Bengaluru’s BRIC-inStem Leads India’s Bio-Revolution with Gene Therapy, Regenerative Science

Posted On: 24 APR 2025 4:30PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh inspected the various facilities at BRIC-inStem and reviewed ongoing clinical trials in collaboration with premier medical institutes and hospitals, including the landmark first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia conducted with CMC Vellore. Calling it a “milestone in India’s scientific journey,” the Minister hailed the institute’s contributions to preventive and regenerative healthcare.

During his visit, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the strategic importance of biotechnology in shaping India’s future economy and public health infrastructure. “This is not just about science—it’s about nation-building,” he said, commending the Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) recent successes and its emergence from relative obscurity into national relevance.

India’s biotechnology sector has seen an extraordinary leap, growing 16-fold in the past decade to reach $165.7 billion in 2024, with a vision to touch $300 billion by 2030. The Minister credited this growth to enabling policy reforms, including the recently approved BIO-E3 Policy that aims to boost economy, employment, and environment through biotechnology. “We now have over 10,000 biotech startups compared to just 50 a decade ago,” he pointed out.

Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the creation of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) that unified 14 autonomous institutions under one umbrella. “BRIC-inStem is at the cutting edge of fundamental and translational science,” he said, highlighting innovations like the germicidal anti-viral mask during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ‘Kisan Kavach’ that protects farmers from neurotoxic pesticides.

 

A highlight of the visit was BRIC-inStem’s Biosafety Level III laboratory, a key national facility for studying high-risk pathogens under India’s One Health Mission. “The recent pandemic taught us that we must always be prepared. Facilities like this will help us stay a step ahead,” Dr. Jitendra Singh stated.

The Minister also praised the newly launched Centre for Research Application and Training in Embryology (CReATE), which addresses birth defects and infertility by advancing developmental biology research. “With about 3 to 4 percent of babies born with some form of defect, this centre is vital for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes,” he said.

Calling for greater collaboration between scientific and medical institutions, he suggested that BRIC-inStem explore MD-PhD programs, integrate more with clinical research, and enhance visibility through coordinated communication strategies. “What’s being done here should echo across the country—not for publicity, but because the nation needs it,” he said.

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by noting that India’s economy of the future would be bio-driven, with institutions like BRIC-inStem serving as torchbearers of this transformation. “As Mark Twain said, the economy is too serious a subject to be left to economists alone. Biotechnology is not just a science anymore—it is a pillar of our national strategy.”

 

*****

NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2124073) Visitor Counter : 18

Source: Government of India

“TDB-DSTbacks Nature-Powered Innovation: Supports ‘uBreathe Life’ for Indigenous Indoor Air Purification Solution”

“Clean Air, Made in India: TDB-DST Funds Urban Air Labs’ Wall-Mounted Plant-Based Air Purifier to Boost Indoor AQI”

Posted On: 24 APR 2025 4:13PM by PIB Delhi

The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has taken a significant step toward advancing indigenous clean air technologies by extending financial support to M/s Urban Air Labs Private Limited, Gurugram, for their project titled “Development & Commercialization of a Made in India Efficient Wall-Mounted Air-Purification System for Indoor Premises.” This strategic intervention marks a commitment to improve the Air Quality Index (AQI) indoors through innovative, plant-based purification systems that remove both particulate and gaseous contaminants.

TDB’s financial assistance to this promising startup underscores its confidence in the project’s potential to deliver sustainable, science-backed air purification solutions. The support aims to promote innovation in climate-responsive technologies while strengthening India’s self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions.

The core technology harnessed in this product blends natural plant-based filtration with advanced engineering. Based on the ‘Urban Munnar Effect’ and a patented innovation called ‘Breathing Roots’, the system enhances the natural air-purifying capacity of leafy indoor plants.

Air from the room is pulled toward the plant leaves, then directed into the soil-root zone, where the purification process intensifies. The device features a centrifugal fan that creates suction pressure, allowing the purified air—processed through the roots—to be released in 360 degrees across the indoor space.

Fitted within a specially designed planter box, the ‘uBreathe Life’ system stands out as a compact, aesthetic, and effective wall-mounted solution tailored for homes, offices, hospitals, and other indoor environments. It directly addresses the growing public health concern over poor indoor air quality and represents a game-changing innovation in the field of sustainable air purification.

Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, said,
“TDB’s support to Urban Air Labs reflects our mission to back indigenous solutions that address pressing environmental challenges. The fusion of biotechnology and engineering in this project offers a scalable, sustainable way to enhance indoor air quality, aligned with the nation’s clean technology goals.”

Commenting on the support, Founders of M/s Urban Air Labs Pvt. Ltd. said,
“We are grateful to TDB for their belief in our vision. With this support, we aim to make plant-based, natural air purification a norm in Indian households and public spaces. It’s time we bring nature back indoors, powered by science and innovation.”

***

NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2124065) Visitor Counter : 34

Source: Government of India

India’s Record Cargo Movement on Inland Waterways

Achieves 145.5 million tonnes in FY 2024–25

Posted On: 24 APR 2025 4:12PM by PIB Delhi

Key Takeaways India achieved a record 145.5 million tonnes cargo movement on inland waterways in FY 2024–25, up from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14, registering a CAGR of 20.86%. The number of National Waterways increased from 5 to 111, with the operational length growing from 2,716 km (2014–15) to 4,894 km (2023–24). Massive infrastructure development including Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), Inter-Modal Terminals (IMTs), community jetties, floating terminals, and green tech like Hybrid Electric and Hydrogen Vessels.  Launch of Jalvahak Scheme with ₹95.42 crore budget offering 35% operating cost incentive for cargo owners and scheduled services on key routes (NW-1, NW-2, NW-16).  India aims to increase IWT modal share from 2% to 5%, and raise traffic to 200+ MMT by 2030 and 500+ MMT by 2047 under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision.

 

Record Cargo Movement Marks a Milestone in Inland Water Transport

 

In a significant achievement for India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) reported a record-breaking cargo movement of 145.5 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2024–25. This milestone underscores the effectiveness of sustained investments and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s inland waterways infrastructure. The number of operational national waterways has also increased from 24 to 29 during the same period, reflecting a strategic push towards multimodal connectivity and sustainable transport solutions.​

Exponential Growth in Cargo Traffic in last ten years

Cargo traffic on National Waterways has increased from 18.10 (million metric tonnes) MMT to 145.5 MMT (million metric tonnes) between FY-14 and FY-25, recording a CAGR of 20.86%.

In FY-25, traffic movement registered a growth of 9.34% year-on-year from FY-24. Five commodities i.e. coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand and fly ash constituted over 68% of total cargo moved on NWs during the year. Passenger movement has also reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24.​

Expansion of National Waterways

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has expanded the number of National Waterways (NWs) from 5 to 111 under the National Waterways Act, 2016. Since 2014, the Government has invested around ₹6,434 crore to develop waterway infrastructure.

The operational length of NWs increased from 2,716 km (2014-15) to 4,894 km (2023-24). Major works include fairway maintenance, community jetties, floating terminals, Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), Inter-Modal Terminals (IMTs), and navigational locks.

To boost Ease of Doing Business, IWAI launched digital tools like Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS), River Information System (RIS), Car-D, Portal for Navigational Information (PANI), and Management Information and Reporting Solution (MIRS). Green initiatives such as Hybrid Electric Catamarans and Hydrogen Vessels are being introduced to reduce pollution and promote river tourism.

Targets and Sustainable Development

The Government of India has set ambitious targets for cargo movement via inland waterways.
IWAI aims to increase the modal share of freight movement through IWT from 2% to 5% and traffic volume to more than 200 million metric tonnes (MMT) in line with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and more than 500 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2047 as per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.​

 

Policy Measures to Boost Inland Waterways

1. Jalvahak – Cargo Promotion Scheme
    

The Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector in India is still developing and needs support to shift cargo from road and rail to waterways. Although waterway transport is cheaper, overall logistics costs can be higher due to multimodal handling. To address this and promote IWT, the “Jalvahak” Scheme was launched on 15 December 2024 with a budget of Rs. 95.42 crores. It has two key components:

1. Financial Incentive: Cargo owners get a 35% reimbursement on actual operating costs for shifting cargo from road/rail to IWT, encouraging use of waterways.
2. Scheduled Services: Regular cargo services have been introduced to boost reliability and predictability.

Key routes include:

• Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi (NW-1)
• Kolkata–Pandu (NW-2 via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route)
• Kolkata–Badarpur/Karimganj (NW-16 via IBP route)

The scheme covers cargo movement on NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16, benefiting surrounding regions and building trust in waterway transport.

2. Extension of Tonnage Tax to Inland Vessels
 Announced on 1st February 2025 during the budget, the tonnage tax regime has been extended to inland vessels registered under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021.

• Benefit: Provides a stable and predictable tax regime based on vessel tonnage rather than profits, thereby lowering the tax burden and encouraging broader adoption of inland shipping.

3. Regulatory Framework for Private Investment
The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 have been notified, enabling private investment in inland waterways infrastructure by establishing a clear legal and operational framework for the construction and management of jetties and terminals.

4. Port Integration
To ensure seamless multimodal logistics, the Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, as well as the Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat, are being transferred to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata for operation and management. This integration is expected to streamline cargo movement between ports and inland waterways.

5. Digitisation and Centralised Database
A centralised portal is being developed for the registration of inland vessels and crew, similar to the ‘Vahan’ and ‘Sarathi’ systems used for road transport. This initiative will:

• Simplify registration processes
• Provide real-time data on vessel and crew availability
• Enhance transparency and planning in the sector

6. Cargo Aggregation Infrastructure
To resolve issues related to sparse industrial presence along waterways, cargo aggregation hubs are under development:

• Freight Village at Varanasi
• Integrated Cluster-cum-Logistics Park at Sahibganj

The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and Indian Port and Rail Company Ltd. have been engaged to develop and provide rail connectivity to these logistics hubs.

7. Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route Operationalisation
Routes No. 5 & 6 between Maia and Sultanganj have been successfully trialled under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol. Regular operations will commence following consent from the Government of Bangladesh.

8. Engagement with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
More than 140 PSUs have been engaged to explore shifting a portion of their cargo to IWT. Ministries including Petroleum, Fertiliser, Coal, Steel, and Heavy Industries have been requested to align their cargo movement plans with the modal shift targets of the Maritime India Vision.

Infrastructure developments for inland water transport:

• Fairway Maintenance: Ongoing river training, dredging, channel marking, and surveys on National Waterways (NWs) to maintain a 35/45 m width and depths of 2.0 to 3.0 meters for vessel navigation.
• NW-1 (Ganga River): 49 community jetties, 20 floating terminals, 3 Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), and 1 Inter-Modal Terminal (IMT) built, along with 5 pre-existing terminals.
• NW-2 (Brahmaputra River): 12 floating terminals, MMTs at Pandu, Jogighopa, and terminals at Bogibeel and Dhubri for river cargo/cruise vessels. 4 dedicated jetties constructed at Jogighopa, Pandu, Biswanath Ghat, and Neamati.
• NW-3 (West Coast Canal, Kerala): 9 permanent terminals with godowns and 2 Ro-Ro terminals constructed.
• NW-68 (Goa): 3 floating concrete jetties in 2020, 1 in 2022 installed in Mandovi River.
• NW-4 (Krishna River, Andhra Pradesh): 4 tourist jetties commissioned.
• Other Projects: 12 Nos. floating jetties on NW-110 (River Yamuna) in Mathura-Vrindavan stretch in Uttar Pradesh, 2 Jetties on NW-73 (River Narmada) & 2 Jetties on NW-37 (River Gandak) in Bihar are under execution.

Navigating Towards a Sustainable Future

India’s concerted efforts in developing its inland waterways have yielded significant results, with record cargo movements and expanded infrastructure. The combination of strategic investments, policy initiatives, and digital innovations positions the country to further enhance its IWT sector, contributing to sustainable transportation and economic development. Continued focus on these areas will be crucial in achieving the ambitious targets set for the coming decades.​

References

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Anchal Patiyal

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