The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MAY 26, 2025
In a significant push towards revolutionizing India’s inland water transport sector, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced that 47 new National Waterways will become operational by 2027, as part of a larger target to make 76 waterways fully functional. Addressing a Consultative Committee meeting on Inland Waterways Transport in Mumbai on Monday, Sonowal revealed that cargo volume is projected to grow to an impressive 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the end of fiscal year 2026.
Chaired by Minister Sonowal and attended by several Members of Parliament, the meeting showcased a robust review of ongoing initiatives by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The roadmap presented envisions the expansion of inland water transport’s footprint from 11 states in 2024 to 23 states and four Union Territories by 2027. Parliamentarians present lauded the progress and advocated for higher budgetary allocations to sustain and accelerate growth in the sector.
Backed by projects worth ₹1,400 crore announced during the Inland Waterways Development Council meeting earlier this year, the government is fast-tracking developments with the IWAI conducting 10,000 kilometers of monthly surveys to ensure optimal navigability through accurate depth mapping. This is a key component of achieving the Maritime India Vision 2030, which targets a cargo volume of 200 MTPA via inland waterways.
Highlighting the transformative nature of the initiative, Sonowal said, “Inland waterways are emerging as a watershed moment in India’s logistics and transport ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are witnessing a transformational shift supported by landmark legislations like the National Waterways Act, 2016 and the Inland Vessels Act, 2021. Schemes like Jal Marg Vikas, Arth Ganga, and Jal Samriddhi are laying the foundation for India to become a global maritime powerhouse.”
Central to this transformation is the creation of a Regional Waterways Grid designed to facilitate vessel movement across a 4,067 km corridor from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via the India-Bangladesh Protocol route. The project aims to unlock an estimated cargo potential of 32.2 MMTPA by 2033 and is complemented by upgrades including a detailed project report for the Jangipur navigation lock.
Development of National Waterway-1 (Ganga) is a major focus, with a 1,390 km corridor being constructed to support vessels of 1,500–2,000 DWT. Key multimodal and intermodal terminals are being developed at Varanasi, Kalughat, Sahibganj, and Haldia to facilitate seamless cargo movement. The northeastern region is also a priority, with a ₹5,000 crore roadmap guiding projects on National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra) and National Waterway-16 (Barak). Infrastructure improvements include terminals at Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu, and Bogibeel, as well as a ₹208 crore ship repair facility and a ₹180 crore road alternative at Pandu.
In a major green initiative, IWAI is also embracing the Harit Nauka Guidelines by integrating electric and hydrogen-fueled vessels. Urban water transport will be further enhanced through water metro projects and eco-friendly cruise tourism. The Regional Waterways Grid, Sonowal emphasized, is not only a blueprint for connectivity but a strategic lever to integrate Assam and the Northeast with mainland India.
River cruise tourism has seen exponential growth, with 15 cruise circuits now operational across 13 waterways, up from just three in 2013–14. The number of luxury river cruise vessels has also risen to 25. To cater to rising demand, 51 new cruise circuits on 47 waterways are in the pipeline, along with the development of world-class terminals at Kolkata, Varanasi, and Guwahati, with feasibility studies being conducted by IIT Madras.
Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, also addressed the meeting, highlighting the ministry’s drive to promote river cruise tourism through public-private partnerships. “Our focus is on developing modern cruise terminals and expanding luxury cruise offerings on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, and other key rivers. These steps will catalyze sustainable economic growth while positioning India as a leading destination for river tourism,” he stated.
The meeting was attended by several MPs, including Shatrughan Prasad Sinha, Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Hibi Eden, M.K. Raghavan, Naba Charan Majhi, Abhimanyu Sethi, and Seema Dwivedi, all of whom expressed strong support for the inland waterways transformation.
