States » NorthPosted at: Oct 28 2026 11:10PM


A new system from identification of boats to safety; watercraft in UP to receive unique registration numbers

Lucknow, Oct 28 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to introduce a new regulatory framework to make river-based transport in the state safe and organised while promoting associated economic activities.
Under the proposed Inland Watercraft Rules, 2026, mechanically propelled and non-mechanically propelled watercraft will be assigned unique registration numbers. The rules also provide for separate funds for water transport development and welfare activities, greater transparency in ghat operations, and the formulation of passenger safety standards.
This is expected to make passenger transport, river tourism, traditional boat operations, and cargo transport safer and more organised on major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gomti, Gandak, and Betwa.
According to the UP Transport Department here on Wednesday, the proposed rules provide for establishing a State Development Fund for mechanically propelled watercraft through fees and penalties collected from water transport.
Meanwhile, the district will establish a District Welfare Fund for activities related to non-mechanically propelled watercraft. This arrangement aims to ensure financial resources for the development of the concerned areas and the welfare of boat operators, while also regulating water transport.
The rules will clearly define responsibilities for registering, surveying, and assessing watercraft to establish their identity and assess their condition. For mechanically propelled watercraft, the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (Administration) in each district will serve as the Registration Officer.
For registering non-mechanically propelled watercraft, the Motor Vehicle Inspector at the district level and the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector at the tehsil level will serve as the Registration Authorities.
The National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI), Patna, has been designated to survey and assess watercraft. The proposed system assigns a unique registration number comprising 10 digits or letters to mechanically propelled watercraft and 12 digits or letters to non-mechanically propelled watercraft. This will help identify watercraft, maintain organized information on their operations, and strengthen regulatory monitoring.
To ensure passenger safety in river transport, the rules require permanent lighting, signboards, life buoys, and divers at ghats. Local bodies, development authorities, and district committees will determine responsibilities for leasing, maintaining, operating, and ensuring the safety of ghats. This will increase accountability in ghat management and ensure safe passenger movement.
A district-level committee headed by the District Magistrate will be constituted to prevent boat accidents. Providing safety-related information to passengers before every journey will be mandatory. The rules also require life jackets equivalent to 10 percent more than the boat's prescribed passenger capacity, a 10-meter rope, and a first-aid kit on board.
In addition, the proposal includes emergency response watercraft (rescue boats) at a 1:10 ratio, so rescue operations can be carried out swiftly when required.
The rivers of Uttar Pradesh have considerable potential for passenger transport, tourism, traditional boat operations, and cargo transportation. In this context, clear registration arrangements, safety standards, better ghat management, and welfare provisions for boat operators can give the sector a more organised structure.
Effective implementation of the rules may increase passenger confidence, reduce accident risk, and promote river-based economic activities.
Prepared under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, of the Government of India, these rules will replace Uttar Pradesh’s 2002 rules. They comprise 16 chapters. The first 14 chapters cover mechanically propelled watercraft; Chapter 15 covers non-mechanically propelled watercraft; and Chapter 16 contains general provisions applicable to both types of watercraft.
The rules provide a 90-day period for watercraft already in operation to comply with the new standards before they come into force. In addition, if any inconsistency or contradiction arises, the provisions of the Central Act and rules will prevail. UNI MBD NST
Tags: #A new system from identification of boats to safety; watercraft in UP to receive unique registration numbers
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