Waterways in India

India, with its vast network of rivers and coastal stretches, has long recognized the potential of its inland waterways as an efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective mode of transportation. In recent years, the Indian government has been focusing on expanding and modernizing this sector, and this emphasis has begun to show substantial progress. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has been actively working to make inland water transport (IWT) a more prominent part of the country’s transport infrastructure.

As of April 2025, India has 29 operational National Waterways (NWs), spread across various states and union territories. These include some of the largest rivers, canals, and creeks, offering significant potential for both cargo and passenger transport. The National Waterways span from the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (NW-1) in the north to the coastal rivers like the Mandovi River (NW-68) in Goa. The diverse geographic spread of these waterways allows for a broad scope of usage in cargo and passenger transport. Following are the key waterways:

NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System):
This waterway, running from Haldia to Allahabad, is one of the largest and busiest in India, particularly crucial for the movement of coal, iron ore, fly ash, and other goods.
NW-2 (Brahmaputra River):
Spanning the Assam region, this river-way is vital for cargo and passenger movement.
NW-3 (West Coast Canal):
Located in Kerala, this waterway has been a major focus for developing infrastructure, including the construction of several terminals.
These waterways, along with others such as the Krishna-Godavari River System (NW-4), Mandovi River (NW-68), and Sunderbans Waterway (NW-97), play a key role in easing road and rail congestion, providing an alternative for bulk cargo movement. In the past five years, the cargo movement on National Waterways has seen a consistent increase, with notable growth in both the tonnage and types of goods transported. The types of cargo moved include coal, iron ore, fly ash, sand, minerals, steel, food items, and many more. The total tonnage moved via waterways has increased year on year, demonstrating the growing importance of this sector. Here’s a snapshot of the annual cargo movement and passenger traffic:

Cargo Movement (in million tons):

2019-20: 73.64 million tons
2020-21: 83.61 million tons
2021-22: 108.79 million tons
2022-23: 126.15 million tons
2023-24: 133.03 million tons

Passenger Movement:

2019-20: 3,316,111 passengers
2020-21: 1,704,327 passengers
2021-22: 2,432,041 passengers
2022-23: 12,552,965 passengers
2023-24: 16,130,758 passengers

The rise in passenger numbers, particularly in the last two years, indicates the growing preference for waterways as a reliable travel option, especially in regions where waterways serve as an efficient and scenic alternative to other modes of transport. The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to enhance the usage of inland waterways for both cargo and passenger transportation:

Incentive Schemes for Cargo Owners:
The government has approved a scheme that provides a 35% incentive to cargo owners for utilizing inland waterways, particularly on National Waterways 1, 2, and 16. This initiative is expected to promote a shift from road and rail to waterways for cargo movement.
Regulatory Framework for Private Investment:
To attract private sector investment, the Ministry has notified regulations under the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations 2025. These regulations allow private companies to invest in and operate inland waterways infrastructure, such as terminals and jetties.
Public Sector Support:
Over 140 Public Sector Units (PSUs) have been approached to incorporate inland waterways into their logistics planning. This initiative aims to encourage a modal shift of cargo, enhancing the sector’s overall capacity.
Infrastructure Development:
The construction of critical infrastructure has been a key focus, with notable projects including:
1:- 49 community jetties, 20 floating terminals, 3 multi-modal terminals, and 1 inter-modal terminal on NW-1 (River Ganga).
2:- 9 permanent terminals with go-downs, 2 Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax terminals on NW-3 (West Coast Canal in Kerala).

The government has outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the expansion and improvement of the inland water transport sector through initiatives like the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047). These plans focus on modernizing the existing infrastructure, constructing new terminals, increasing cargo handling capacity, and expanding the network to cover more regions. A major part of the future expansion also involves enhancing the navigability of the waterways. This includes undertaking river training, regular dredging, and hydrographic surveys to maintain navigable depth and improve the safety and efficiency of operations. Additionally, there is a focus on connecting more rivers and establishing new national waterways, creating a seamless network for cargo and passenger movement.

In nut-shell, India’s inland waterways are undergoing a significant transformation. With continued investment, infrastructure development, and regulatory reforms, the sector has the potential to play a pivotal role in the country’s transportation network. As the government works to improve connectivity and capacity, waterways will increasingly become a sustainable and efficient mode of transport for both cargo and passengers. The progress made in the last five years is just the beginning, and the future holds exciting possibilities for this vital sector.

(Based on the information tabled in the upper house on 1st April 2025 by the government in response to my question No. 3507 on the subject.)

Parimal Nathwani Rajya Sabha Member