Strengthening Inland Water Transport in India

Geography and Environment (RAS) Resources

14-May-25

Context

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has established a new regional office in Srinagar, committed ?100 crore to improve three National Waterways in the region — River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49), and River Ravi (NW-84).

Key Highlights
– A MoU was signed between IWAI and the J&K Government to promote river cruise tourism.
1. Ten floating jetties aimed to be installed at key locations, including Akhnoor, Reasi, Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, and Safa Kadal.
– IWAI aims to construct floating jetties and landside facilities to support passenger and cargo movement.
1. Dredging operations will be conducted to maintain navigational fairways for safe vessel movement.

Inland Water Transport in India

National Waterways Act, 2016 has declared 111 inland waterways as ‘National Waterways’ (NWs) in the country to promote shipping and navigation on them.
- The total length of NWs is 20,275 km spread across 24 States in the country.
Currently, Indian operates to a few stretches in the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly rivers, the Brahmaputra, the Barak river, the rivers in Goa, the backwaters in Kerala, inland waters in Mumbai and the deltaic regions of the Godavari – Krishna rivers.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
– It is an autonomous organization constituted in 1986 under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, based on recommendations of the National Transport Policy Committee (1980).
– Headquarter: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
1. Regional Offices: Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati, Varanasi, Bhubaneswar, and Kochi.
2. Sub-Offices: Prayagraj, Farakka, Sahibganj, Haldia, Swroopganj, Hemnagar, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Silchar, Kollam, and Vijayawada.
– It is primarily responsible for development, maintenance and regulation of those waterways which have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under National Waterways Act, 2016.
Key Functions of IWAI
– Development of National Waterways
– Regulation and Policy Implementation
– Hydrographic Surveys and Navigational Aids
– Promotion of River Cruise Tourism
Major National Waterways
– National Waterway 1 (NW-1): Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia to Prayagraj, 1,620 km)National Waterway 2 (NW-2): Brahmaputra River (Dhubri to Sadiya, 891 km)
– National Waterway 3 (NW-3): West Coast Canal, Champakara & Udyogmandal Canals (Kottapuram to Kollam, 205 km)
– National Waterway 4 (NW-4): Godavari, Krishna Rivers & Buckingham Canal (Kakinada to Puducherry, 1,095 km)
– National Waterway 5 (NW-5): Brahmani River, Mahanadi Delta & East Coast Canal (Talcher to Dhamra, 623 km)
– National Waterway 16 (NW-16): Barak River (Lakhipur to Bhanga, 121 km)

Advantages of Inland Water Transport

Cost-Effective Logistics: Waterways offer lower transportation costs compared to road and rail.
- Fuel consumption per ton-km is significantly less, reducing overall logistics expenses.
- 1 Litre of fuel moves 24 tonne on road, 95 tonne on rail and 215 tonne on IWT (for a kilometer).
Reducing Pressure on Rail and Road Networks: India’s railways and highways are overburdened, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
- IWT can supplement existing transport modes, improving cargo movement efficiency.
Environmentally Sustainable: IWT produces lower carbon emissions, making it a greener mode of transport.
- Reduces traffic congestion and air pollution in urban areas.

Expanding IWT Beyond Cargo Transport

Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Services: Enables vehicle transportation across waterways, reducing road congestion.
Tourism Development: Promotes river cruises, houseboats, and eco-tourism, boosting local economies.
Passenger Ferry Services: Provides affordable and efficient travel options, especially in remote regions.

Key Government Initiatives

Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): It focuses on developing NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system) for cargo movement.
- Includes multi-modal terminals, navigational locks, and fairway development.
Jalvahak Scheme: It provides operating cost incentives for cargo owners using IWT routes.
- It aims to increase IWT’s modal share from 2% to 5% by 2030.
Hybrid Electric and Hydrogen Vessels: It promotes green technology for sustainable inland navigation.
National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/ Terminals) Regulations, 2025: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has introduced new regulations, formulated by IWAI, to streamline processes and promote efficient use of India’s vast waterways network.

Government’s Vision for Inland Water Transport

The Shipping Ministry has set a goal to complete 150 maritime projects by September 2025, strengthening India’s inland waterways sector.
The Harbour Craft Green Transition Programme aims to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions across Indian ports.
A Coastal Green Shipping Corridor is being developed, with the Kandla-Tuticorin route as the first corridor.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Limited Depth in Rivers: Seasonal variations affect navigability, requiring dredging and water management.
Infrastructure Gaps: Need for modern terminals, jetties, and intermodal connectivity.
Investment: Encouraging private sector participation in IWT development.

Conclusion

India’s inland waterways can become a key pillar of sustainable transport, reducing logistics costs and environmental impact, with continued policy support and technological advancements.
By enhancing waterway connectivity, tourism, and economic opportunities, the initiative aligns with India’s broader Blue Economy vision.

Source: PIB

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