New Delhi: India is poised to unlock the economic and ecological potential of its rivers, with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announcing an ambitious plan to operationalise 76 National Waterways (NWs) by 2027, up from the current 23. Cargo volume through inland waterways is expected to rise to 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the end of FY 2026, inching closer to the Maritime India Vision 2030 target of 200 MTPA.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the Consultative Committee meeting on Inland Waterways Transport in Mumbai, where the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) presented updates on ongoing projects and upcoming developments. Members of Parliament from across states participated and supported increased investment in the sector.
“₹5,000 crore roadmap for Inland Waterways Development in Northeast over next 5 years soon,” said Sonowal. He also announced the expansion of inland waterways from 11 states in FY 2024 to 23 states and 3 Union Territories by 2027, calling it a move that will “unlock new opportunities.”
“Inland waterways are emerging as the 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 with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan & Navic among others. Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These roadmaps are not just policy documents—they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse. Today’s meeting with esteemed Members of Parliament reflects a unified commitment to boost infrastructure and unlock the immense economic potential of our rivers and coasts. With enhanced budgetary support and cooperative federalism, we are building a greener, more efficient, and future-ready waterway network across the country,” Sonowal said.
The ministry’s inland waterway plans include a Regional Waterways Grid that will facilitate uninterrupted movement from Varanasi to Dibrugarh, Karimganj and Badarpur via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. The 4,067 km grid is expected to boost cargo movement, with a projected 32.2 MMTPA capacity by 2033. The Detailed Project Report for renovation of the Jangipur navigation lock is currently in progress.
Among the major projects, the 1,390 km NW-1 (Ganga) waterway corridor is being upgraded to support 1,500–2,000 DWT vessels. Cargo handling terminals at Varanasi, Kalughat, Sahibganj and Haldia are under development to enhance multimodal logistics capability.
The Northeast region will see significant investment, with a ₹5,000 crore roadmap to be rolled out over the next five years. On NW-2 (Brahmaputra), work is ongoing to strengthen four permanent terminals at Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu and Bogibeel, alongside 13 floating terminals. A ₹208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu and a ₹180 crore alternate road are expected to be completed by 2026 and 2025, respectively. On NW-16 (Barak), Karimganj and Badarpur terminals are operational, while NW-31 (Dhansiri) is being prepared to support Numaligarh Refinery’s expansion.
“In line with the Harit Nauka Guidelines, the Inland Waterways Authority is committed to green and sustainable transport solutions, including the procurement of electric catamarans and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels. By strengthening urban water transport through water metro projects and promoting eco-friendly cruise tourism, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future in inland waterways transportation. The Regional Waterways Grid aims to seamlessly connect Assam and the Northeast with the rest of India through an integrated network of inland waterways. This will boost regional trade, tourism, and connectivity while unlocking economic potential across the Brahmaputra and Barak River systems. Government is also working on a ₹5,000 crore roadmap for Inland Waterways Development in Northeast Over Next 5 Years,” added Sonowal.
Cruise tourism has seen substantial growth, with 15 circuits now operational across 13 NWs in nine states. The number of luxury cruise vessels has increased from three in 2013-14 to 25 in 2024-25. Looking ahead, 51 additional cruise circuits across 47 NWs are set for development by 2027. River cruise terminals are being built in Kolkata, while feasibility studies for Varanasi and Guwahati terminals are being conducted by IIT Madras. Additional terminals will come up in Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati and Guijan by 2027.
“Special efforts are underway to advance river cruise tourism across India by developing modern cruise terminals and related infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and MoUs with private enterprises, we are boosting luxury river cruises on the Ganga and Brahmaputra, while also expanding cruise tourism on the Yamuna, Narmada, and key rivers in Jammu & Kashmir. These initiatives not only promote tourism but also contribute to sustainable economic growth in the regions we serve,” said Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur.
The meeting was attended by MPs from West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, who expressed support for increasing budgetary allocation and speeding up project execution to make inland water transport a reliable, clean and cost-effective logistics option.
BI Bureau
