In a landmark move to bolster infrastructure development and facilitate ease of doing business, the government has introduced the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025. Formulated by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), these regulations aim to encourage private sector participation in developing jetties and terminals across national waterways. The initiative is expected to streamline processes, enhance cargo movement, and position inland waterways as a key driver of India’s economic growth.

By enabling private, public, and joint venture entities to establish and operate terminals, the new regulations present significant opportunities for investment and trade. The development of efficient inland waterway infrastructure is set to reduce transportation costs, improve logistical efficiency, and strengthen India’s multimodal transport network. With increased cargo movement on waterways, the sector is poised to play a crucial role in reducing the burden on road and rail transport while promoting sustainable logistics solutions.

Under the newly introduced framework, any entity intending to develop or operate a terminal on a national waterway must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from IWAI. Both new and existing terminals—whether permanent or temporary—will fall under the purview of these regulations. Permanent terminals will be maintained for their lifetime, while temporary terminals will be granted an initial operational term of five years, subject to renewal. The terminal developer and operator will be responsible for designing and constructing the facility, ensuring it meets technical and business requirements while maintaining accessibility.

To further streamline the approval process, IWAI is developing a dedicated online application portal for terminal developers and operators. This digital platform will enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and facilitate seamless application tracking, aligning with the government’s commitment to Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and digitalisation. The move is expected to encourage greater private investment by reducing procedural bottlenecks and ensuring a simplified clearance process.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI has witnessed remarkable growth in cargo movement. Over the past decade, freight transport on national waterways has surged from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, demonstrating the sector’s rising importance in India’s economic framework. The government’s Jalvahak scheme, designed to shift nearly 17% of cargo transport from road and rail to waterways, is further expected to drive private participation and strengthen inland waterway logistics.

With the enforcement of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, private sector involvement in inland water transport (IWT) is set to expand significantly. This initiative is expected to accelerate infrastructure development, enhance operational efficiency, and establish India’s waterways as a competitive and sustainable transport alternative. As the sector continues to evolve, these reforms will pave the way for a modern, investor-friendly, and technologically advanced inland waterways network.