+
Sarbananda Sonowal: 41mt coal to move via inland waterways in FY24
PORTS & SHIPPING

Sarbananda Sonowal: 41mt coal to move via inland waterways in FY24

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) revealed that it was working on increasing coal supplies through the inland waterways network. Union Minister of Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, informed that they were aiming to transport 41.06 million tonnes (mt) of coal in the current fiscal year, which is a 17 percent increase compared to the 35.19 mt moved in FY23.

According to the Ministry's records, coal transportation through waterways has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of 16.71% since 2019. In FY19, the inland waterways transported 18.96 mt of coal, which rose to 21.75 mt in FY20, 24.06 mt in FY21, and further to 30.61 mt in FY22. Sonowal stated, "The total cargo handled through the inland waterways network has increased from 16 mt in 2014 to over 130 mt in the last five years (cumulative), with coal accounting for the majority. Our target is to increase cargo handling to 200 mt by 2030 and expand the inland waterways network."

He also mentioned ongoing discussions with various ministries regarding the transport of coal, LPG movement with the Petroleum Ministry, and the movement of food grains with the Food Corporation of India.

Sonowal highlighted that out of more than 400 river networks in the country, only five have been developed into National Waterways. However, after a techno-economic feasibility study conducted by a committee of the Ports Ministry, it was determined that 111 of these river systems could be developed into National Waterways, with 26 of them being navigable.

The current focus lies on the development of National Waterways 5 along the Brahmani-Mahanadi route, which passes through West Bengal and Odisha.

There are three routes within National Waterways 5: the East Coast Canal and Matai River covering 256 km, the Brahmani, Kharsua, and Dhamra rivers covering 265 km, and the Mahanadi delta rivers (including the Hansua river, Nunanala, Gobrinala, Kharnasi river, and Mahanadi river) covering 67 km.

Also read:
India's Kattupalli Shipyard Becomes US Master Shipyard
Talks with more interested bidders for Great Nicobar port


The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) revealed that it was working on increasing coal supplies through the inland waterways network. Union Minister of Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, informed that they were aiming to transport 41.06 million tonnes (mt) of coal in the current fiscal year, which is a 17 percent increase compared to the 35.19 mt moved in FY23. According to the Ministry's records, coal transportation through waterways has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of 16.71% since 2019. In FY19, the inland waterways transported 18.96 mt of coal, which rose to 21.75 mt in FY20, 24.06 mt in FY21, and further to 30.61 mt in FY22. Sonowal stated, The total cargo handled through the inland waterways network has increased from 16 mt in 2014 to over 130 mt in the last five years (cumulative), with coal accounting for the majority. Our target is to increase cargo handling to 200 mt by 2030 and expand the inland waterways network. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with various ministries regarding the transport of coal, LPG movement with the Petroleum Ministry, and the movement of food grains with the Food Corporation of India. Sonowal highlighted that out of more than 400 river networks in the country, only five have been developed into National Waterways. However, after a techno-economic feasibility study conducted by a committee of the Ports Ministry, it was determined that 111 of these river systems could be developed into National Waterways, with 26 of them being navigable. The current focus lies on the development of National Waterways 5 along the Brahmani-Mahanadi route, which passes through West Bengal and Odisha. There are three routes within National Waterways 5: the East Coast Canal and Matai River covering 256 km, the Brahmani, Kharsua, and Dhamra rivers covering 265 km, and the Mahanadi delta rivers (including the Hansua river, Nunanala, Gobrinala, Kharnasi river, and Mahanadi river) covering 67 km. Also read: India's Kattupalli Shipyard Becomes US Master ShipyardTalks with more interested bidders for Great Nicobar port

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?