The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), has approved several critical initiatives aimed at enhancing India’s inland water transport (IWT) network, particularly in the Northeast and eastern regions.
The decisions were finalised during IWAI’s 197th Board Meeting. Among the key resolutions was the approval of a comprehensive development plan for National Waterway-2 (NW-2) on the Brahmaputra River in Assam. The plan spans a three-year horizon and includes projects for fairway development, terminal infrastructure, navigation aids, green energy deployment, and skill development. Vessel maintenance, dry docking, and operational streamlining are also part of the IWT promotion strategy in the North-Eastern Region (NER). To improve logistics connectivity, the Board also cleared a proposal to construct a dedicated link road between the upcoming Ship Repair Facility and Pandu Terminal on NW-2. The road will support movement of heavy machinery and equipment, ensuring smoother operations. Once complete, it will offer direct access to NH-27, enhancing regional mobility and boosting commercial activity. Over ₹1,500 crore worth of IWT projects are currently underway in the Northeast, marking one of the most significant infrastructure pushes in the region’s transport history.
The IWAI Board also approved amendments to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (Classification of National Waterways) Regulations, 2022. The updated regulations rationalise the permissible distance between the navigation channel and the outer edge of a jetty, improving navigational efficiency and safety standards. Additionally, IIT Madras’ National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) has been engaged to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the extension of National Waterway-64 (NW-64). The extended route will connect Sambalpur in Odisha to Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh via the Mahanadi River. The study will also explore the feasibility of setting up MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) infrastructure in Hirakud, a proposal initiated by the Odisha government. The Board further approved the creation of new organisational posts in IWAI, following recommendations from the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG) on restructuring.
In a notable inclusion, IWAI briefed the Board on inland water transport initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, which involve infrastructure development on three national waterways—NW-84, NW-49, and NW-26—within the union territory. These developments reflect a wider push to leverage inland waterways for sustainable, low-cost logistics while boosting regional connectivity and economic activity across the country.
