Sunil Paliwal, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), participated in a special session titled “Navigating Growth: Inland Waterways in the Forefront of Future Transport and Logistics”, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority in Lucknow. The session brought together senior officials, policy-makers, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the growing significance of inland waterways in India’s transportation ecosystem.
During his address, Paliwal emphasized that inland waterways are emerging as a vital pillar in India’s multi-modal logistics strategy, offering a cleaner, cost-effective, and fuel-efficient alternative to conventional modes of transport. He noted that with ongoing infrastructure upgrades, development of new terminals, and enhanced connectivity to industrial corridors, the inland water transport (IWT) sector is positioned to play a central role in strengthening India’s supply chain resilience.
The discussions at the event highlighted the rapid progress made under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), recent cargo movement achievements on National Waterway-1 and NW-2, and the potential for expanding waterways-based logistics in states like Uttar Pradesh. Paliwal also underlined the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre and states to build robust last-mile linkages, promote private sector participation, and facilitate adoption of modern, sustainable vessels.
The session served as an important platform to reaffirm the commitment toward harnessing India’s river systems for economic growth while reducing carbon emissions. With increasing policy support and rising industry interest, inland waterways are set to emerge at the forefront of India’s future transport and logistics landscape.