New Delhi: The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0), held in Kochi, Kerala, approved infrastructure and asset development projects worth over ₹1,500 crore to accelerate the expansion of India’s inland water transport network, strengthen multimodal logistics, and promote green mobility and river tourism across the country.
The meeting underscored the Centre–State commitment to positioning the inland water transport network as a key pillar of India’s sustainable logistics and transportation ecosystem.
IWDC 3.0 focused on project approvals, capacity augmentation, and coordinated execution to unlock the economic potential of national waterways.
IWDC 3.0 Projects to Strengthen Inland Water Transport Network Across States
IWDC 3.0 identified projects exceeding ₹1,500 crore aimed at enhancing cargo movement, passenger connectivity, and cruise tourism.
Foundation stones were laid for projects worth over ₹150 crore, including river cruise jetties across Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana, supporting the expansion of cruise tourism circuits within the inland water transport network.
The council reviewed progress on the development of Ro-Ro and cargo terminals at Muktyala and Harishchandrapuram on the Krishna River (NW-4) in Andhra Pradesh to strengthen cargo movement.
Onshore facilities on the Jhelum River (NW-49) in Jammu & Kashmir were approved to enhance passenger services and tourism infrastructure, with plans to deploy 10 hybrid electric vessels on the waterway.
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₹465-Crore Asset Procurement Approved to Boost Inland Water Transport Capacity
Asset procurement worth over ₹465 crore was approved to improve navigability, safety, and year-round operations across the inland water transport network.
These include survey vessels in Kerala; Ro-Pax berthing jetties in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal; floating pontoons and quick-opening mechanisms in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal; hybrid survey vessels; amphibian and cutter suction dredgers; and tug-barge units.
₹900-Crore New Projects Approved for National Waterways
The council was apprised of new projects worth over ₹900 crore, including the development of a slipway facility at Kochi; construction of 110 jetties across Odisha (25) and the Northeast (85); implementation of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS) in Maharashtra; development of a ₹70-crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati; and a ₹144-crore approach road connectivity project to the Bogibeel River Port in Dibrugarh on the Brahmaputra (NW-2).
Centre Highlights Strategic Role of Inland Water Transport Network
Addressing the council, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said inland waterways have emerged as a strategic pillar of India’s transport and logistics transformation.
He highlighted that the development of the inland water transport network has eased congestion on roads, reduced logistics costs, and strengthened ease of doing business by integrating rivers into the national multimodal logistics framework.
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Kerala and Urban Water Transport in Focus
Kerala’s extensive backwater and canal system was highlighted as a major opportunity for expanding the inland water transport network.
The council noted IWAI’s initiative to conduct feasibility studies for urban water transport in 18 cities, including Guwahati, Varanasi, Patna, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh.
Kerala emerged as a key focus area with proposals to expand the Jal Vahak cargo promotion scheme to additional national waterways.
The scheme offers reimbursement of up to 35% of operating expenditure on cargo movement through inland waterways, encouraging private participation and enhancing commercial viability.
Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Services on commercially viable stretches were also announced to demonstrate operational readiness of waterways for cargo transport.
Northeast to See Major Inland Water Transport Expansion
Special emphasis was placed on the Northeast, with plans to develop 85 jetties across the region at an investment exceeding ₹500 crore.
These projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity, trade, tourism, and livelihoods of riverine communities while strengthening regional integration within the inland water transport network.
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Sector Growth and Future Priorities
The meeting reviewed the rapid expansion of inland waterways over the past decade. Cargo movement on national waterways increased from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25, while operational national waterways expanded from 3 to 32.
The number of luxury river cruise vessels increased from 5 to 25, with operational terminals rising from 15 to 25 and floating jetties from 30 to 100.
IWDC 3.0 reaffirmed priorities including the deployment of green and hybrid vessels, expansion of digital navigation and traffic management systems, development of modern terminals, strengthening shipbuilding and ship-repair facilities, and promotion of maritime skill development.
Regulatory and execution challenges raised by states were reviewed, with emphasis on faster project implementation through coordinated efforts.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the Centre and states to scale up the inland water transport network, promote cleaner transport solutions, enhance logistics efficiency, and position India’s rivers as engines of sustainable economic growth.
