Major Upgrades Planned for Tamil Nadu’s National Waterways

19 Aug 2025 CW Team

Tamil Nadu is poised for significant infrastructure upgrades across its National Waterways (NWs), with a focus on developing jetties, cargo hubs, and cruise tourism circuits, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. These projects aim to promote sustainable inland water transport and boost regional economic activity.

Key projects include the development of Buckingham Canal (part of NW-4), with jetties planned at the following locations:

Mahabalipuram to Ediyur Bridge
Cooum River near Marina Beach
Pulicat Lake
Ennore Port to ETPS, specifically for cargo operations

Other National Waterways earmarked for jetty development are:

River Bhavani (NW-20) – Jetty at Bhavani-Sangmeswar Temple for cruise tourism
River Kaveri-Kollidam (NW-55) – Near Chidambaram, aimed at boosting tourism
River Pazhyar (NW-77) – Near Kanyakumari for both cruise tourism and cargo
River Ponniyar (NW-80) – Targeted for dual-use: passenger and cargo movement

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry, is responsible for implementing these developments. The infrastructure will include floating jetties with navigational aids, designed for 24x7 cargo and passenger transport, built to maritime safety and environmental standards.

Before initiating any development, IWAI prepares Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) that assess the economic impact on the surrounding regions. Additionally, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Management Plans (EMP) are conducted to ensure the ecological integrity of the water bodies is preserved.

This information was shared by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, outlining the Centre’s ongoing commitment to improving India’s inland waterway infrastructure.

Infrastructure Urban

29 Sep 2025

Montra Electric Ships 175 EV Three-Wheelers by Rail

Montra Electric Last-Mile Mobility has completed its inaugural bulk railway shipment, transporting 175 Super Auto electric three-wheelers from Tada, Andhra Pradesh, to Siliguri, West Bengal. The dispatch marks a strategic logistics shift to meet rising festive season demand while reducing environmental impact.The rail journey covered over 2,000 kilometres in under 72 hours, completing in less than five days compared with the 12–14 days typically required for road transport. The company estimates this approach reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 15,800 tonnes compared with conventional t..

IHCL Invests Rs 1 Billion in Subsidiary for Taj Bandstand

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), part of the Tata Group, announced on Tuesday that it has invested over Rs 1 billion in its wholly owned subsidiary, ELEL Hotels and Investment, through a rights issue.In a stock exchange filing, IHCL stated that it acquired 201,659 equity shares of Rs 10 each at an issue price of Rs 5,000 per share, paying a premium of Rs 4,990 per equity share in cash.ELEL Hotels and Investment holds the leasehold rights for the Bandstand, Bandra land parcel, where IHCL plans to add another Taj-branded hotel in Mumbai, Taj Bandstand. In February, IHCL announced a total invest..

Investors Pump Rs 500 Million Into PRISM’s Sunday PropTech

Travel-tech and hospitality company PRISM, the parent firm of OYO, announced on Tuesday that an InCred and Analah-led consortium has invested Rs 500 million in Sunday PropTech Limited, also known as OYO Assets.InCred is a diversified Indian financial services group, while Analah is a Mumbai-based investment firm specialising in private equity, start-ups, real estate and financial services.Sunday PropTech focuses on acquiring and developing high-quality hotels in India across premium and mid-premium segments, aiming to generate consistent returns and long-term capital appreciation. These hotels..