Union Government launched Phase-I of River Information System

Union Government on 6 January 2016 launched the Phase-I of the River Information System (RIS) of India in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.

The Phase-I of the RIS, which is first of its kind in India, was launched on the Sagar- Farakka stretch of National Waterway-1 on River Ganges to facilitate safe and accurate navigation.

It will be implemented under the overall responsibility of Inland Waterway Authority of India, a statutory body administered by the Ministry of Shipping.

Phase-I of RIS

•    In Phase-I, the vessels will be monitored by installing 7 remote (base station site) at the Haldia, Garden Reach (GR) Jetty, Tribeni, Swaroopganj, Kumarpur, Ballia and Farakka at a cost of 26.23 crores rupees.

•    Further, there would be two control centers at Farakka and GR Jetty. Both the control stations will monitor the vessels plying in this river stretch via Automatic Identification System (AIS) and will communicate with Vessels via VHF.

•    Under this project, there are 30 vessels which are also equipped with Inland AIS system, short range radar and VHF.

Phase-II & Phase-III of RIS

The Phase- II of the System from Farakka to Patna (410-km) and Phase-III from Patna to Varanasi (356-km) will also be implemented on priority.

The Phase-II with six base and one control stations will entail an estimated cost of 15.89 crore rupees whereas Phase-II with 4 base and one control stations will entail an estimated cost of 14.49 crores rupees.

What is River Information Services (RIS)?

•    River Information Services (RIS) are combination of modern tracking equipment related hardware and software designed to optimize traffic and transport processes in inland navigation.

•    The system enhances swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and shore (Base stations) through advance and real-time exchange of information.

•    RIS aims to streamline the exchange of information between waterway operators and users.

What it would do?

•    Enhance inland navigation safety in ports and rivers

•    Better use of the inland waterways

•    Environmental protection

•    Enable achievement of safe and efficient inland water transport

•    Avoid risks like Ship- to - Ship collisions, ship to bridge collisions and groundings

Indian RIS is akin to system under operation in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, China & USA.

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