The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, has greenlighted the development of 14 new National Waterways (NWs) alongside the existing five (NW-1 to NW-5). These new NWs, spanning states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Assam, mark a significant expansion in India’s inland water transport infrastructure.
Among the approved projects, the Jawai-Luni-Rann of Kutch River System has been designated as National Waterway-48, covering a substantial length of 615 km (205 km in Rajasthan and 410 km in Gujarat) under the National Waterways Act, 2016. However, a final feasibility report indicates that NW-48 isn’t deemed feasible for shipping and navigation development.
List of new National Waterway (NWs) approved under Phase-I development
NW-8- Alappuzha-Changanassery Canal in Kerala
NW-9- Alappuzha-Athirampuza Canal in Kerala
NW-27-Cumberjua River in Goa
NW-68- Mandovi River in Goa
NW-111- Zuari River in Goa
NW-86- River Rupnarayan in West Bengal
NW-97- Sundarbans Waterways in West Bengal
NW-40- Ghaghra River in U.P. & Bihar
NW-44- Ichamati River in West Bengal
NW-10- Amba River in Maharashtra
NW-28-Dabhol Creek Vashishti River in Maharashtra
NW-57- Kopili River in Assam
NW-31- Dhansiri River in Assam
NW-16- River Barak in Assam
