NETWORKING THE NORTH-EAST. The inland water transport terminal at Jogighopa in Bongaigaon district, Assam
Aimed at accelerating green mobility, strengthening multi-modal logistics and promoting river-led economic development, the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to expand the country’s inland water transport network, facilitate major infrastructure investments and enhance Centre-State coordination to unlock the full economic potential of domestic river systems.
The IWDC 3.0 meeting, held recently in Kochi, identified projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore; foundation stones were laid for projects worth more than ₹150 crore, including river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana, to expand cruise tourism circuits across the country.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said inland waterways are emerging as a powerful multiplier of green growth, digital transformation and tourism-led development. With the rapid expansion in cargo movement, passenger services and cruise tourism, the country’s rivers are becoming engines of sustainable mobility and economic opportunity.
IWDC is entrusted with the development of inland water transport, cargo movement and river tourism in the country. The council seeks to boost the economic potential of riverine transport and enhance infrastructure in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner.
Major new projects worth over ₹900 crore include the development of a slipway facility in Kochi, construction of 110 jetties across Odisha (25) and the North-East (85), and implementation of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS) in Maharashtra.
According to officials, the development of 85 jetties on an investment of ₹500 crore will significantly strengthen connectivity, integrate regional logistics and create livelihood opportunities for riverine communities in the North-East. For Assam, the council has earmarked the ₹70 crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati and a ₹144 crore road connectivity project for the Bogibeel river port in Dibrugarh on the Brahmaputra (NW-2).
The council also noted the efforts of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) towards conducting a feasibility study for urban water transport in 18 cities, including Guwahati, Varanasi, Patna, Tezpur and Dibrugarh.
Backwater network
Kerala’s vast backwater and canal network was highlighted as a major opportunity for inland waterways development. The State emerged as a key focus area at IWDC 3.0 with a series of major announcements to strengthen inland water transport and logistics.
A decision was made to implement the Jal Vahak cargo promotion scheme in Kerala, offering reimbursement of up to 35 per cent of the total operating expenditure incurred on cargo movement through inland waterways. The scheme is expected to encourage private sector participation by enabling cargo owners to hire vessels operated by entities other than the government bodies IWAI and the Inland and Coastal Shipping Ltd (ICSL), making it particularly attractive for major shipping companies, freight forwarders, trade bodies and operators handling bulk and containerised cargo. Valid initially for three years, the initiative will help optimise supply chain networks and the commercial viability of water-based logistics.
The meeting highlighted the fact that cargo movement on national waterways had increased from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25, while the number of operational national waterways has grown 10-fold from three to 32.
The number of luxury river cruise vessels has increased from five to 25, reflecting growing confidence in the industry, and among investors and State governments. The number of operational terminals has increased from 15 to 25, and floating jetties from 30 to 100.
Fast-track execution
With 111 national waterways spread across 23 States and four Union Territories, inland waterways are increasingly supporting initiatives such as Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) vehicle movement and cruise tourism.
IWAI Chairperson Sunil Paliwal said IWDC 3.0 builds on the momentum generated by previous council meetings in Kolkata and Kaziranga (Assam). “It reinforces our resolve to fast-track execution of projects through close coordination with States and the adoption of clean, hybrid and smart digital systems,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the Centre and States to scale up inland water transport, strengthen regional connectivity, promote cleaner transport solutions and position rivers as engines of economic growth. It reaffirmed inland waterways as a future-ready mode of transport for both cargo and passengers, contributing to cleaner transport, smarter logistics and a stronger India.
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Published on February 23, 2026