In a significant push towards green and efficient logistics, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, announced that 47 new National Waterways (NWs) will be made operational by 2027, expanding India’s inland water transport network across 23 states and 4 Union Territories. The announcement was made during a Consultative Committee meeting on Inland Waterways Transport held in Mumbai.

By the end of FY 2026, cargo volume through inland waterways is projected to rise to 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), a major step towards achieving the Maritime India Vision 2030 target of 200 MTPA. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency overseeing the sector, presented key progress updates, project roadmaps, and strategic plans for the coming years.

Shri Sonowal highlighted the strategic intent behind the expansion: “Inland waterways are emerging as a transformative force in India’s logistics ecosystem. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, this sector is witnessing a paradigm shift enabled by forward-looking policies and flagship programmes such as the Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.”

Currently, inland water transport operates in 11 states. By FY 2027, the network will span 23 states and 4 UTs, enhancing inter-regional connectivity and economic integration. To support this growth, projects worth ₹1,400 crore were launched during the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting earlier this year.

A key focus area is the Northeast, with the Government planning a ₹5,000 crore development roadmap over the next five years. On NW-2 (Brahmaputra), infrastructure upgrades are in progress, including four permanent and 13 floating terminals. Major facilities such as a ₹208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu and an alternative road worth ₹180 crore are scheduled for completion by 2026 and 2025, respectively. On NW-16 (Barak) and NW-31 (Dhansiri), terminals at Karimganj, Badarpur, and developments supporting NRL’s expansion are advancing steadily.

On the Ganga (NW-1), a 1,390 km waterway corridor is being developed for seamless navigation of 1,500–2,000 DWT vessels. Major cargo terminals at Varanasi, Kalughat, Sahibganj, and Haldia are under capacity augmentation.

The Minister also emphasised the environmental focus of inland water transport. Under the Harit Nauka Guidelines, IWAI is procuring electric catamarans and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels. Urban water metro systems and green cruise tourism initiatives are also being promoted.

India’s river cruise sector is expanding rapidly, with 15 cruise circuits currently operational across 13 National Waterways. From just three NWs supporting cruises in 2013-14, the number has risen to 13 in 2024-25. Luxury cruise vessels have also increased from three to 25 during this period. An additional 51 cruise circuits have been identified for development across 47 NWs by 2027, with world-class cruise terminals planned at Kolkata, Varanasi, and Guwahati.

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, underscored the growing interest in river cruise tourism, noting government efforts to modernise terminals and infrastructure, particularly along the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, and Narmada rivers.

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The meeting was attended by several Members of Parliament, who endorsed the progress and expressed support for enhanced budgetary allocations to further strengthen India’s inland water transport system.

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