India set a new record by moving over 145 million tonnes of cargo through inland waterways during FY 2024–25, as per the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW). This achievement highlights the growing importance of Inland Water Transport (IWT) and rapid expansion of national waterways and supportive policy measures.
Key Highlights
Cargo Movement: Over 145 million tonnes achieved via inland waterways in FY 2024–25.
Expansion of National Waterways:
- National Waterways (NWs) expanded from 5 to 111 under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
- Government Investment: Approx. ₹6,434 crore invested since 2014 for developing IWT infrastructure.
- Operational Length: Increased from 2,716 km (2014-15) to 4,894 km (2023-24).
Infrastructure Developments: Fairway maintenance, community jetties, floating terminals, Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), Inter-Modal Terminals (IMTs), navigational locks.
Digital Initiatives: LADIS, RIS, Car-D, PANI, and MIRS launched to enhance navigation and cargo management.
Green Initiatives: Introduction of Hybrid Electric Catamarans and Hydrogen Vessels to reduce emissions and boost river tourism.
Key Commodities: Coal, iron ore & fines, sand, fly ash account for 68% of cargo volume.
Targets and Vision
Current Modal Share (IWT): Around 2%.
Target:
- Increase to 5% modal share.
- Boost cargo volume to 200+ million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030 under Maritime India Vision 2030.
- Target 500+ MMT by 2047 as per Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Policy Measures to Boost Inland Waterways
Jalvahak – Cargo Promotion Scheme
- Launched 15 Dec 2024; budget ₹ 95.42 crore
- Objective: Shift cargo from road/rail to IWT.
- Financial Incentive: 35% reimbursement of actual operating costs for cargo owners shifting cargo from road/rail to IWT
- Scheduled Services: Regular cargo services on key routes: Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi (NW-1); Kolkata–Pandu (NW-2 via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route); Kolkata–Badarpur/Karimganj (NW-16 via IBP route)
Extension of Tonnage Tax
- Effective 1 Feb 2025
- Inland vessels under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021 now eligible.
- Provides a stable, predictable taxation model based on vessel tonnage instead of profits, encouraging inland shipping.
Regulatory Framework for Private Investment
- Regulations Notified: National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025.
- Purpose: Enable private investment with clear operational rules for building and managing jetties and terminals.
Port Integration
- Terminals Transferred for Management: Varanasi, Sahibganj, Haldia MMTs, and Kalughat IMT transferred to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
- Objective: Seamless multimodal logistics between ports and waterways.
Digitisation & Centralised Database
- Portal for vessel and crew registration (analogous to ‘Vahan’/‘Sarathi’)
- Real-time data on availability, boosting transparency and planning
- Benefits: Simplifies processes, real-time data availability, and improves sector transparency.
Cargo Aggregation Infrastructure
- Development of Hubs: Freight Village at Varanasi; Integrated Cluster-cum-Logistics Park at Sahibganj.
- Agencies Involved: National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML); Indian Port and Rail Company Ltd. for providing rail connectivity.
Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route Operationalisation
- Routes Operationalised: Route 5 & 6 (Maia–Sultanganj) under Indo-Bangladesh Protocol.
- Status: Successful trials completed; awaiting consent from Government of Bangladesh for regular operations.
Engagement with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Engaged PSUs: Over 140 PSUs encouraged to shift cargo movement to IWT.
- Target Ministries: Petroleum, Fertiliser, Coal, Steel, and Heavy Industries.
- Alignment: With the modal shift targets under Maritime India Vision.
- New Technologies: Hybrid Electric Catamarans, Hydrogen Vessels
- International Cooperation: Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Routes operational trials completed
About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
- Established: 1985 under the IWAI Act
- Mandate: Develop & maintain IWT infrastructure on National Waterways
- Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
- Regional Offices: Guwahati, Patna, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata
- Varanasi Regional Office: Manages Ganga & tributaries (Betwa, Chambal, Gomti, Tons, Varuna; parts of Gandak, Ghaghra, Karamnasa, Yamuna) and coordinates with UP State IWT Authority