IWAI Clears Key Plans to Boost River Transport in Northeast

22 May 2025 CW Team

The three-year plan for NW-2 includes fairway development, terminal infrastructure, navigation aids, green energy integration, vessel operations, dry docking, and the establishment of a maritime skill development centre in Assam. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to promote IWT in India’s North-Eastern Region (NER), with over Rs 15 billion in projects currently underway.

A key decision includes the construction of a link road connecting the upcoming Ship Repair Facility to the Pandu Terminal. This road will facilitate the transport of heavy machinery and ensure smooth connectivity between Pandu Port and National Highway-27.

The IWAI Board also approved amendments to the 2022 Classification of National Waterways Regulations, rationalising the distance between navigation channels and jetty edges to improve operational efficiency.

In addition, IWAI has commissioned IIT Madras’ National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the extension of National Waterway-64 (River Mahanadi) from Sambalpur barrage in Odisha to Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh. The study will also explore the feasibility of establishing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) facilities in Hirakud.

The board further approved the creation of new posts at IWAI following recommendations from the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG) on organisational restructuring.

IWAI also briefed the board on ongoing IWT initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, including the development of river navigation infrastructure across three national waterways—NW-84, NW-49 and NW-26.

These decisions reflect IWAI’s continued commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, to transform India’s rivers into engines of economic growth and sustainable transport.

In its 197th board meeting, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, approved a comprehensive development plan for National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra) and cleared key infrastructure proposals to enhance inland water transport (IWT) in the Northeast.The three-year plan for NW-2 includes fairway development, terminal infrastructure, navigation aids, green energy integration, vessel operations, dry docking, and the establishment of a maritime skill development centre in Assam. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to promote IWT in India’s North-Eastern Region (NER), with over Rs 15 billion in projects currently underway.A key decision includes the construction of a link road connecting the upcoming Ship Repair Facility to the Pandu Terminal. This road will facilitate the transport of heavy machinery and ensure smooth connectivity between Pandu Port and National Highway-27.The IWAI Board also approved amendments to the 2022 Classification of National Waterways Regulations, rationalising the distance between navigation channels and jetty edges to improve operational efficiency.In addition, IWAI has commissioned IIT Madras’ National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the extension of National Waterway-64 (River Mahanadi) from Sambalpur barrage in Odisha to Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh. The study will also explore the feasibility of establishing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) facilities in Hirakud.The board further approved the creation of new posts at IWAI following recommendations from the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG) on organisational restructuring.IWAI also briefed the board on ongoing IWT initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, including the development of river navigation infrastructure across three national waterways—NW-84, NW-49 and NW-26.These decisions reflect IWAI’s continued commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, to transform India’s rivers into engines of economic growth and sustainable transport.

Building Material

18 Sep 2025

Ambuja Cements Drags JSW Cement to Court Over ‘Kawach’ Brand

Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has filed a trademark infringement case against JSW Cement in the Delhi High Court, alleging that its rival copied the ‘Kawach’ brand with its new product ‘Jal Kavach’.Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued summons to JSW Cement and its subsidiary, JSW IP Holdings Pvt Ltd, while referring the matter to mediation. Hearings are scheduled to resume on October 15 if no settlement is reached.Ambuja, which registered the ‘Kawach’ trademark in 2019, argues that the term ‘Kavach’—meaning shield—is the distinctive feature of its branding. ..

Technology

18 Sep 2025

Bentley Systems Named Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 by Afcons

Bentley Systems, the infrastructure engineering software company, has been recognised by Afcons Infrastructure Limited as its Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 at the Innovation Partners 2025 Felicitation Ceremony in Mumbai. The award acknowledges Bentley’s contribution to Afcons’ engineering digitalisation journey through an enterprise agreement providing access to over 250 Bentley engineering software tools. This adoption has enabled Afcons to accelerate project delivery, standardise digital workflows, and strengthen innovation across its infrastructure portfolio. Among key i..

Infrastructure Urban

18 Sep 2025

SBI Sells 13.18% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC

State Bank of India (SBI) has completed the sale of a 13.18 per cent stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for over Rs 8,889 crore. The divestment is part of a Rs 13,482 crore deal finalised in May with SMBC and seven private banks.Following the transaction, SBI’s shareholding in Yes Bank stands at 10.8 per cent. The deal, involving 4,134.4 million shares at Rs 21.50 each, is the largest cross-border transaction in the Indian banking sector.SBI Chairman C S Setty described the 2020 RBI-led rescue of Yes Bank as a pioneering public-private partnership, addi..