Government Launches Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Plan

29 Mar 2025 CW Team

Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the Government of India has invested approximately Rs 64.34 billion towards the development of National Waterways (NWs) across the country. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure and promote it as a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.

Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, a total of 111 waterways were declared as National Waterways. Since then, there has been a significant increase in cargo and passenger movement. Cargo movement has risen from 18 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in 2013-14 to 133 MTPA in 2023-24, while passenger movement has reached 10.61 million in 2023-24.

To meet the future cargo movement targets of 200 million tonnes by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047, the government has laid out comprehensive policy measures and strategies. These include capacity building, improvement of navigation channels, and development of terminals and multi-modal logistics hubs.

Infrastructure development projects on National Waterways are being implemented across several states, including Maharashtra. These projects are designed to enhance regional trade, improve last-mile connectivity, and integrate with other modes of transport for seamless logistics.

Additionally, the revitalisation of inland waterways is expected to contribute to eco-tourism through the promotion of river cruises and houseboats. These efforts align with sustainable development goals by reducing carbon emissions and offering an alternative to road and rail transport.

Overall, the development of inland water transport infrastructure is poised to play a key role in the country’s multi-modal transport framework, contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

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