Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited has become the first private entity to receive a No Objection Certificate (NoC) for constructing a jetty on a national waterway. This development took place during the launch of a dedicated digital portal by the Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, aimed at inviting private investment in infrastructure development on National Waterways.
As part of the launch event, Sarbananda Sonowal handed over the NoC issued through the new digital portal to Marina India Infrastructure. This is the first-of-its-kind NoC issued digitally to any private entity for the construction of a terminal on any national waterway in the country.
Marina India Infrastructure plans to invest approximately ₹8 crore in establishing a jetty at Malim on National Waterway-68 (River Mandovi) in Goa.
The jetty will be designed to berth up to 16 privately owned yachts and pleasure crafts up to 30 metres in length, supporting docking and undocking for each trip.
Digital portal for national waterways
The digital portal, developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), is part of a broader initiative to facilitate ease of doing business (EODB) and encourage private investment in inland water transport (IWT) across the country.
This initiative follows the introduction of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/ Terminals) Regulations, 2025, which provide a clear framework for private players to invest in the construction and operation of jetties and terminals on India’s national waterways network.
Speaking at the launch event, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating, ‘By enabling private participation in developing jetties and terminals, we are unlocking immense potential for sustainable infrastructure growth in the inland waterways transportation.