India has invested more than Rs 6,000 crore in the past decade to rejuvenate its inland waterways, transforming them into a viable and eco-friendly alternative for cargo transportation and improving passenger connectivity. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, shared this information during a recent Parliament session, noting that the sector had only seen Rs 1,620 crore of investment over the previous 28 years since the establishment of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in 1986.
The minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country’s network of national waterways has seen substantial growth. “Until 2014, India had only 5 National Waterways. Today, the number has increased to 111,” Sonowal stated. This growth is backed by a significant financial commitment of over Rs 6,000 crore aimed at modernizing and expanding the inland waterways infrastructure. The results of this investment have been tangible. The cargo transported via these waterways has surged from 18.07 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2013-14 to 132.89 million MT in 2023-24, reflecting an impressive compounded annual growth rate of 22.1%. With this momentum, the government has set an ambitious target of 200 million MT of cargo movement by 2030, and 500 million MT by 2047, aligning with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
India boasts a vast network of inland waterways, consisting of rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks, spanning a total navigable length of 20,236 km. Of this, 17,980 km are rivers, while 2,256 km are canals suitable for mechanized vessels. However, despite this extensive network, the potential of inland freight transportation has been largely underutilized compared to global leaders like the United States, China, and European countries. The ongoing development efforts are focused on augmenting the capacity of key national waterways, such as NW 1, NW 2, NW 3, and NW 16. These efforts include the development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals, improving fairways, implementing end-to-end dredging, and introducing night navigation and navigational locks. These upgrades are designed to make the waterways a more efficient and sustainable mode of transport. The minister emphasized that inland waterways are not only the most economical and environmentally friendly means of transport but also hold the potential to evolve into vibrant hubs for recreational activities, further boosting the sector’s growth. With continued investment and development, India’s inland waterways are poised to play a crucial role in the country’s transportation future, contributing to the nation’s economic growth while promoting sustainable and efficient logistics.
