In a landmark move to reposition inland waterways as a green lifeline for freight and sustainable urban mobility, the Indian government is set to operationalise 76 national waterways by 2027.
This ambitious expansion, unveiled during a high-level consultative meeting held in Mumbai, is aimed at pushing cargo volumes to 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by March 2026, almost doubling current movement levels on India’s navigable rivers. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) presented the plan to key parliamentarians, urging broader fiscal support to accelerate the shift from road-heavy logistics to eco-friendly water-based transport. This vision is central to the Maritime India Vision 2030, which targets 200 MTPA cargo movement on rivers by the decade’s end.
India’s strategy pivots on reviving its vast but underutilised river network as a low-emission logistics backbone, integrating it with economic corridors and regional development plans. The expansion will see the reach of inland water transport increase from 11 states in 2024 to 23 states and four Union Territories by 2027. It promises a radical departure from fossil-fuel-dependent freight systems while revitalising riverine economies and reducing urban freight bottlenecks. During the recent meeting, officials highlighted the ₹1,400 crore investment push that followed the Inland Waterways Development Council meeting earlier this year. The IWAI, executing one of the world’s most extensive river depth surveys, is currently mapping over 10,000 kilometres monthly to determine the Least Available Depth (LAD) and ensure year-round navigability.
At the heart of this transformation lies the Regional Waterways Grid, a strategic framework designed to ensure seamless cargo and passenger vessel movement along high-potential corridors. One such corridor, spanning 4,067 kilometres, connects Varanasi to Dibrugarh, Karimganj, and Badarpur through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. Early projections suggest this route alone could carry 32.2 MMTPA cargo by 2033. National Waterway 1 (Ganga) is being developed into a flagship freight corridor with a 1,390-kilometre navigable stretch. Infrastructure upgrades, including dedicated cargo terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, Kalughat, and Haldia, are underway to support vessel movement of 1,500 to 2,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT), ensuring the passage of larger, more efficient vessels.
The Northeast region is also receiving focused attention, with a ₹5,000 crore roadmap under implementation. This includes new terminals along National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) and extensive fairway development to make inland transport a reliable year-round mode in Assam and neighbouring states. These efforts are expected to link the landlocked Northeast to eastern India and the Bay of Bengal, unlocking regional trade and tourism potential. Beyond freight, river-based tourism is witnessing a revival. India’s river cruise circuits have expanded from just three in 2014 to 15 across 13 waterways in 2025. The number of operational luxury cruise vessels has surged from three to 25 in the same period. Authorities have now identified 51 additional cruise circuits for phased development, aiming to turn rivers into cultural and tourism corridors.
Three new cruise terminals, including one in Kolkata, are under construction. Feasibility studies for similar terminals in Varanasi and Guwahati are underway by premier academic institutions. Other planned terminals at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are scheduled for completion by 2027. These developments will cater to a growing segment of domestic and international tourists seeking eco-conscious river travel. India’s push for greener transport has also seen alignment with the Harit Nauka (Green Vessel) guidelines. This includes the procurement of electric catamarans and hydrogen-powered boats to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. The water metro projects in urban hubs are another forward-looking initiative, aiming to decongest roads while offering an inclusive and accessible transport mode.
Officials noted that recent legislative reforms—the National Waterways Act of 2016 and the Inland Vessels Act of 2021—have laid the legal foundation for this sweeping transformation. Together, they offer uniform technical standards, encourage private investment, and clarify jurisdictional oversight, enabling faster project clearances and smoother operations. States such as Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are also witnessing growing participation in inland waterway projects, signalling nationwide interest in decarbonising logistics.
While challenges such as seasonal water levels, land acquisition for terminals, and last-mile connectivity persist, the government’s renewed focus on inland waterways is a strategic climate-aligned intervention. It holds promise not only for lowering emissions but also for making Indian logistics more competitive and cities more breathable. As climate change accelerates the demand for sustainable transport alternatives, India’s river systems may soon become a symbol of ecological revival and inclusive growth. If realised effectively, the waterway expansion could mark a watershed moment for clean logistics, economic decentralisation, and resilient infrastructure.
Mumbai to Boost 76 Waterways by 2027 in Green Cargo Shift
