The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) concluded with a comprehensive roadmap to significantly expand India’s inland water transport (IWT) network, approve major infrastructure investments and deepen Centre–State coordination to unlock the economic potential of the country’s rivers.
Chaired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the day-long meeting brought together ministers from Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, senior officials from the Centre and states, industry representatives and experts. The meeting marked a key milestone in positioning inland waterways as a central pillar of India’s sustainable and multimodal logistics framework.
The Council identified projects worth over ₹1,500 crore aimed at accelerating green mobility, strengthening multimodal logistics and promoting river-led economic development. Foundation stones were laid for projects exceeding ₹150 crore, including river cruise jetties across Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana, supporting the rapid expansion of cruise tourism circuits.
Key infrastructure approvals included Ro-Ro and cargo terminals at Muktyala and Harishchandrapuram on the Krishna River (National Waterway-4) in Andhra Pradesh, onshore passenger facilities on the Jhelum River (NW-49) in Jammu and Kashmir, and deployment of 10 hybrid electric vessels on NW-49 to support eco-friendly passenger transport and tourism.
Asset procurement worth more than ₹465 crore was also approved to enhance navigability, safety and year-round operations. This includes survey vessels in Kerala; Ro-Pax jetties in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal; floating pontoons and quick-opening mechanisms in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal; hybrid survey vessels; amphibious and cutter suction dredgers; and tug-barge units.
The Council was also apprised of major new projects worth over ₹900 crore, including a slipway facility at Kochi, construction of 110 jetties across Odisha and the Northeast, implementation of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS) in Maharashtra, a ₹70-crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati, and a ₹144-crore approach road to the Bogibeel River Port in Dibrugarh on the Brahmaputra (NW-2).
Addressing the meeting, Sonowal said inland waterways have emerged as a strategic pillar of India’s logistics transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, easing congestion on roads, lowering logistics costs and strengthening ease of doing business. He noted that rivers are increasingly being viewed as economic lifelines driving growth, sustainability and connectivity.
Kerala emerged as a key focus area, with proposals to expand the Jal Vahak cargo promotion scheme to additional national waterways, including those in the state. The scheme offers reimbursement of up to 35 per cent of operating costs for cargo moved via inland waterways and is expected to boost private sector participation. Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Services on commercially viable stretches were also announced to demonstrate the operational readiness of waterways for cargo movement.
Special emphasis was placed on the Northeast, where 85 jetties are planned with an investment exceeding ₹500 crore to strengthen connectivity, trade, tourism and livelihoods of riverine communities. Projects in Assam, including the Guwahati cruise terminal and Dibrugarh connectivity works, are expected to significantly boost river cruise tourism and last-mile logistics along the Brahmaputra.
The Council reviewed the sector’s rapid expansion over the past decade. Cargo movement on national waterways has risen from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25, while operational national waterways have increased from three to 32. The number of luxury river cruise vessels has grown from five to 25, operational terminals from 15 to 25, and floating jetties from 30 to 100.
IWDC 3.0 reaffirmed the government’s forward-looking priorities, including deployment of green and hybrid vessels, expansion of digital navigation systems, development of modern inland terminals, strengthening shipbuilding and repair capacity, and promotion of maritime skill development.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the Centre and states to scale up inland water transport, promote cleaner mobility solutions and position rivers as engines of sustainable economic growth. With 111 national waterways across 23 states and four Union Territories, inland waterways are increasingly emerging as a future-ready alternative for cargo, passenger transport and cruise tourism.
