Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-25032025-261930
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 154]
NEW DELHI, MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025/ CHAITRA 3, 1947
2015 GI/2025
(1)
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 24th March, 2025
G.S.R. 189(E). — In the exercise of powers conferred under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 98 read
with Section 106(2)(zza) of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (24 of 2021), the draft of the Inland Vessels (National River
Traffic and Navigation System) Rules 2025, which the Central Government hereby proposes to make, in exercise of
the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 106 of the Inland Vessels Act of 2021 (24 of 2021), is hereby
published for the information of all persons likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft
shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of thirty days from the date on which the copies of this
notification as published in the Official Gazette are made available to the public;
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 within the period specified above;
The objections or suggestions which may be received from any person concerning the said draft rules, within
the period so specified will be considered by the Central Government.
Draft Rules
1. Short Title and Commencement. – (1) These rules may be called the Inland Vessels (National River Traffic
and Navigation System) Rules, 2025.
(2) They shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint.
2. Definitions. - (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Act" means the Inland Vessels Act 2021(Act no 24 of 2021);
(b) "Appropriate Authority" means
(i) in case of establishment of necessary infrastructure and systems on National Waterways for National River
Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS), the Inland Waterways Authority of India; and
(ii) in case of establishment of necessary infrastructure and systems on inland waters that are not included
within the National Waterways for NRTNS, the Designated Authority of the States.
(c) “Automatic Identification System" or "AIS" means the system used for tracking and identifying vessels;
(d) "dangerous goods” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (m) of Section 3 of the Act;
(e) "DGAtoN" means Director General of Aids to Navigation appointed under section 4 of the Marine Aids to
Navigation Act, 2021;
(f) "Geofencing" means the use of global positioning system or radio frequency identification technology to
create a virtual boundary around a specified area;
(g) "Inland Electronic Navigational Chart“ or “inland ENC” is a digital representation of a geographical area
used for marine navigation which functions as an official database for use with an inland electronic chart display
and information system;
(h) "inland vessel" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (q) of Section 3 of the Act;
(i) "inland waters" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (r) of Section 3 of the Act;
(j) “IOAtoN” (IALA) means International Organisation for Aids to Navigation;
(k) "National River Traffic and Navigation System" or "NRTNS" means the system established under rule 3 of
these rules;
(1) "national waterway" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (h) of Section 3 of the Inland
Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985;
(m) "River Information System" or "RIS" means the system which provides about navigational conditions and
aids;
(n) "vessel" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (zu) of Section 3 of the Act;
(o) "Vessel Traffic Management System" or "VTMS" " means a device, system or service, external to vessels,
designed and operated to improve the safety and efficiency of navigation of vessels and vessel traffic and to
protect the environment.
(2) Words and expressions used and not defined in these rules but defined in the Act, shall have the meanings
respectively assigned to them in the Act.
3. Scope of the National River Traffic and Navigation System. – (1) The NRTNS shall be established to
manage and regulate traffic on all inland waterways ensuring safety and efficiency in vessel operations.
(2) The NRTNS will encompass the following components:
(a) Vessel Traffic Management System for monitoring and managing vessel movements which includes
Automatic Identification System for real-time tracking and identification of vessels;
(b) River Information System for disseminating information regarding navigational conditions, weather updates,
and traffic advisories; and
(c) Geofencing technologies to prevent vessels from entering restricted or hazardous areas and such areas shall
be incorporated in inland electronic navigation chart and regular notices identifying such hazardous or
restricted areas shall be sent to Masters of inland vessels.
4. Development of necessary infrastructure and systems for National River Traffic and Navigation
System. - (1) The appropriate authority shall establish infrastructure and systems on inland waters for National River
Traffic and Navigation System.
(2) The appropriate authority shall perform the following functions:
(a) Overall implementation and management of the National River Traffic and Navigation System;
(b) Development and maintenance of Vessel Traffic Management System including, Automatic Identification
System for efficient navigation;
(c) Ensure compliance with these rules by conducting regular audits and inspections of vessel traffic
management systems;
(d) Ensure compliance with these rules by conducting regular audits and inspections of vessels;
(e) Provide training and support for crew of the vessels and personnel involved in river traffic management in
consultation with DGAtoN; and
(f) Development of integrated platform for NRTNS inclusive of vessel tracker, VTMS and RIS system with inter
portability features.
5. Mandatory requirements for vessels. – (1) All vessels plying on inland waters shall be equipped with Class
B Automatic Identification System including all vessels carrying dangerous goods as defined in clause (m) of section
3 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and shall ensure the same is operational at all time while navigating in accordance
with Inland Vessels (Safe Navigation, Communication and Signals) Rules, 2022 and as amended from time to time.
(2) Vessels plying on inland waters shall report their position, course, and destination to the nearest VTMS centre
upon entering inland waters.
(3) In cases of emergencies, vessels shall communicate with Vessel Traffic Management System centre to ensure
coordinated responses.
6. Operation of Vessel Traffic Management System. – (1) The Vessel Traffic Management System centres
shall be established at key locations by the appropriate authority, along the National Waterways and other inland
waters to monitor vessel movements and provide navigation support.
(2) Vessel Traffic Management System centres shall perform the following functions:
(a) Continuous monitoring of vessel traffic and coordination to prevent collisions;
(b) Issuing navigational advisories, warnings, and alerts to vessels; and
(c) Coordination of emergency responses in case of any incidents or accidents.
7. River Information System. (1) The River Information System shall provide vessels with real-time
information on navigational conditions, including water levels, weather updates, and any hazards.
(2) The appropriate authority shall ensure that the River Information System is accessible to all vessels equipped with
AIS and inland electronic navigation chart and is updated from time to time to reflect current navigational conditions.
8. Geofencing Regulations. – (1) Geofencing technologies shall be implemented along National Waterways
and inland waters to identify and define restricted areas for safe navigation.
(2) Vessels shall adhere to geofencing boundaries and receive alerts from Command Centre if they approach restricted
areas, if the alert is sounded, then the vessel shall stop and not enter into the restricted area.
(3) The appropriate authority shall identify and designate geofenced areas which may include environmentally
sensitive zones, shallow waters, and areas with navigational hazards.
9. Classification of inland waters for selection of navigation systems. The selection of the navigation
system components shall depend on the classification and characteristics of the waterway. For the purposes of these
rules, inland waterways shall be further classified by the appropriate authority into the following categories based on
their nature and traffic intensity:
(a) High-Density Traffic Corridors:
(i) Major rivers, canals, and inland routes that experience high traffic volumes and accommodate large
vessels.
(ii) Frequently used for commercial shipping, cargo transport, and passenger ferries.
(b) Moderate-Density Traffic:
(i) Waterways that have moderate vessel movement.
(ii) Used for domestic or short-haul cargo transport, fishing, and smaller passenger ferries.
(c) Remote or Low-Density (Sparse Traffic):
(i) Narrow rivers, smaller canals, and isolated inland water bodies with low vessel traffic.
(ii) Primarily used for local transport, fishing, or recreational boating.
(d) Sensitive Ecological Zones:
(i) Waterways passing through environmentally sensitive areas such as wildlife reserves, wetlands, or
biodiversity hotspots.
(ii) Require special navigation systems to minimize environmental impact and ensure the protection of the
ecosystem.
10. Navigation systems for categories of inland waters. (1) National Waterways and other inland waters
characterised as High-Density Traffic Corridors under clause (a) of rule 9 shall have the following navigation systems:
(a) Automatic Identification System (AIS):
(i) Mandatory AIS Class B for all vessels.
(ii) Real-time vessel tracking and communication with traffic management centres.
(b) Digital Tracking:
(i) Comprehensive digital tracking system with real-time data on vessel movements, traffic density, and
congestion levels.
(ii) Integration with Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for continuous monitoring and incident
response.
(iii) VTMS integrated with radar, AIS, and digital tracking systems.
(c) Channel Geofencing:
(i) Channel geofencing shall be deployed along the entire stretch of busy waterways to define navigational
boundaries and prevent vessels from straying into restricted or hazardous zones (e.g., shallow areas,
industrial zones, environmentally sensitive regions).
(ii) Use of geofencing alerts to prevent collisions or groundings, particularly in narrow or congested
sections.
(iii) Geofencing using satellite-based systems and geospatial data.
(2) Inland waters classified as moderate-density traffic under clause (b) of rule 9 shall have the following navigation
systems:
(a) Automatic Identification System (AIS):
(i) Mandatory AIS Class B for all vessels.
(ii) Real-time tracking of vessels using and communication with traffic management centres.
(b) Digital Tracking:
(i) Simplified digital tracking system to monitor vessel positions, predict traffic flow, and optimize
scheduling.
(ii) Traffic control services may not be required 24/7 but should be available during peak times or in case of
emergencies.
(iii) Digital tracking with GNSS-based monitoring
(c) Channel Geofencing:
(i) Selective geofencing for areas that have significant navigational hazards (e.g., sharp bends, low bridges,
or shallow sections).
(ii) Use of geofencing alerts to guide vessels through narrow channels or areas with environmental
restrictions.
(iii) Geofencing in specific areas based on risk assessment.
(3) Inland waters classified as remote or low-Density Waterways (Sparse Traffic) under clause (c) of rule 9 shall have
the following navigation systems:
(a) Automatic Identification System (AIS):
(i) Mandatory AIS Class B for all vessels.
(ii) Real-time tracking may not be required, but vessels should have basic AIS functionality to enable
visibility in case of emergency.
(b) Digital Tracking:
(i) Basic digital tracking can be used for vessel registration and to track traffic patterns periodically.
(ii) Can be linked to mobile apps or handheld devices for smaller vessels, providing navigation assistance in
remote areas.
(c) Channel Geofencing:
(i) Minimal geofencing required. Use of virtual boundaries around known hazardous zones, such as shallow
waters or environmental protection areas, may be implemented.
(ii) Geofencing alerts may be tied to mobile apps or GPS navigation tools.
(4) Inland waters classified as Sensitive Ecological Zones under clause (d) of rule 9 shall have the following
navigation systems:
(a) Automatic Identification System (AIS):
(i) Mandatory AIS Class B for all vessels operating in or near ecologically sensitive zones, regardless of
size.
(ii) AIS should include environmental alerts to notify vessels of nearby protected areas.
(b) Digital Tracking:
(i) Enhanced digital tracking with real-time data to monitor vessel proximity to sensitive zones and ensure
strict adherence to environmental protection regulations.
(ii) Tracking systems should incorporate data on environmental factors (e.g., pollution levels, water quality)
to guide vessel behaviour in protected areas.
(iii) Anchorage area restrictions, if existing, to be strictly enforced. No craft to anchor beyond designated
anchorage areas.
(c) Channel Geofencing:
(i) Strict channel geofencing to create virtual boundaries around sensitive zones, ensuring that vessels
maintain a safe distance from wildlife reserves, wetlands, and other protected regions.
(ii) Alerts should be triggered if vessels enter restricted zones or violate speed limits within the ecological
buffer zones.
11. Training and Capacity Building. – (1) The appropriate authority shall develop training programs, in
consultation with DGAtoN for personnel involved in the operation and management of the VTMS and aids to
navigation, including crew of the vessels and traffic-controllers.
(2) Training shall cover the use of AIS, VTMS, RIS, and geofencing technologies, as well as emergency response
procedures and environmental compliance.
(3) The appropriate authority shall appoint the traffic controllers who have completed the courses specified by
IOAtoN.
12. Monitoring and Evaluation. (1) The appropriate authority shall establish a framework for ongoing
monitoring and evaluation of the NRTNS to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.
(2) Key performance indicators shall be developed by Inland Waterways Authority of India to assess the impact of the
NRTNS on safety, traffic management, and environmental sustainability.
13. Penalties. - (1) All mechanically propelled inland vessels including vessels registered under the Merchant
Shipping Act, 1958 and fishing vessels registered under Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972
while plying in inland waters shall have their AIS switched on all the times while plying in inland waters.
Provided that inland vessels being used for water sports shall be exempt from the above requirement.
(2) In the event of switching off the AIS or not responding to VTMS call repeatedly vessel operator, shall be punished
in accordance with sub-section (3) of Section 87 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021.
14. Compliance with the requirements under these Rules. All the vessel operators and the concerned
authorities shall comply with the requirements as stipulated in these Rules within one year from the date of its
publication in the Official Gazette.
[F. No. IWT-II-12011/1/2025-IWT-II]
Dr. KAMALA KANTA NATH, Adviser (Statistics)