India plans to invest 350 billion by 2047 to build a network of canals

16 Jan 2023 CW Team

According to Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), India plans to invest INR 350 billion by 2047 to build a network of waterways across the nation.

Creating waterways and jetties will be part of the strategy that will be put into action over the next 25 years in order to increase the capacity of Indian rivers for navigation. The world’s longest river cruise covers two national waterways (NWs) and travels into Bangladesh, according to Bandopadhyay. “This cruise will go more than 3,200 km along Routes NW1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi- Hooghly), IBP Route 1, and NW2 (Brahmaputra). This serves to further solidify the decision that this route is ready for the transportation of both passengers and freight,” said Bandopadhyay.

It is the first river cruise to link Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. It starts in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and ends in Dibrugarh (Assam). 32 visitors from Switzerland will be transported on the inaugural flight. The MV Ganga Vilas is scheduled to arrive in Dibrugarh on March 1, 2023. “Such river trips will be offered on 150 vessels over 80 circuits. By 2047, it would require an estimated 350 billion in investment,” he added. The majority of this capital investment will go into creating jetties and waterways to improve river navigation for larger ships.

A circuit is a path that travels past popular tourist attractions in separate and distinct locations. For river cruise operations on the IBP route, the IWAI has already designated the Mongla, Barisal, and Narayanganj circuits. According to Bandopadhyay, the private sector will be motivated to make this investment because there is a good chance that the costs will be recouped. Speaking of the future, he predicted that more of these services would start, along with plans to improve river cruises in India’s southern backwaters.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..