Content:
- Govt Boosts Inland Waterways for Logistics Movement, Secures Global Logistics Expertise for NWs
- OPERATION SINDOOR
OPERATION SINDOOR
Context and Background
- Trigger Incident: The precision strike was a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 25 Indians and 1 Nepali citizen.
- Strategic Objective: To hold accountable those behind the planning and execution of terrorist attacks on Indian soil.
Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security)
Key Features of Operation Sindoor
- Type of Operation: Precision strike by the Indian Armed Forces.
- Targets:
- 9 terrorist infrastructure sites located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
- Scope: Focused on locations used for launching and planning terrorist attacks against India.
- Timing: Executed on the early hours of May 7, 2025.
Nature and Restraint
- Non-Escalatory Approach:
- No Pakistani military facilities targeted.
- Demonstrates India’s intent to avoid escalation while sending a strong message.
- Measured Response:
- Emphasizes precision and restraint in both target selection and execution.
- Reflects India’s commitment to international norms and responsible state behavior.
Strategic Significance
- Reinforces India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
- Signals India’s political will to take cross-border counter-terror measures when provoked.
- Echoes India’s past actions like surgical strikes (2016) and Balakot airstrikes (2019) in response to terrorist activities.
Next Steps
- A detailed official briefing is expected later today to provide further information.
- Possible implications for India-Pakistan relations, regional security, and international diplomatic responses.
Govt Boosts Inland Waterways for Logistics Movement, Secures Global Logistics Expertise for NWs
Strategic Context
- Objective: To boost multimodal cargo movement through Inland Waterways Transport (IWT).
- MoU Signed Between: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Rhenus Logistics India Pvt. Ltd.
- Part of: Maritime India Vision 2030 & Jal Marg Vikas Project.
Relevance : GS 3(Infrastructure)
Key Features of the MoU
- Deployment Plan:
- 100 barges to be introduced in phases.
- Phase I: 20 barges + 6 pushers deployed.
- Target: Move 1 million tonnes of cargo annually by end of 2025.
- Waterways Covered Initially:
- NW-1 (Ganga)
- NW-2 (Brahmaputra)
- NW-16 (Barak)
- Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route
Global Integration & Technological Edge
- Rhenus Logistics: A global player with 1,100+ barges and expertise in European inland navigation.
- Focus on global best practices in barge operations tailored to India’s low-draft waterways.
- Integration of pushers + barges for both bulk and break-bulk cargo movement.
Environmental & Economic Benefits
- Promotes energy-efficient, low-emission, and cost-effective transport.
- Supports sustainable development and regional connectivity in North, East, and Northeast India.
- Reduces dependence on congested road and rail networks.
Growth of Inland Waterways Sector
- National Waterways:
- Increased from 3 (2014-15) to 29 (2024-25) operational.
- Out of 111 declared NWs, over 14,500 km is navigable.
- Cargo Movement:
- From 30 MMTPA in 2014-15 to 145.84 MMTPA in 2024-25.
- Total over the past decade: 779 MMT.
Infrastructure Under Jal Marg Vikas Project
- Includes:
- Dredging, IWT terminals, navigational locks
- Community jetties and aids to navigation
