Source: PIB
India boasts an extensive network of inland waterways, with over 145 million tonnes of cargo moved annually, offering a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport. Inland waterways complement the overburdened rail and road networks and facilitate initiatives such as Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vehicle transport and river cruise tourism. Of the total 111 National Waterways across 23 states and four union territories, 32 are currently operational for cargo and passenger movement. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is primarily responsible for development, maintenance and regulation of these waterways.
Cargo movement on national waterways has increased from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25, while passenger traffic has grown to 7.64 crore in 2024-25. This momentum has been further accelerated through transformative initiatives such as the ‘Jalvahak’ Cargo Promotion Scheme, incentivising shippers to shift cargo from road and rail to waterways, and ‘Jal Samriddhi’, which promotes strong private sector participation in terminal development and operations.
Assam at IWDC 3.0
Steady growth in inland waterways traffic in Assam underscores how the IWDC has successfully translated policy decisions into tangible outcomes over the past two years. Fully operational NW2 (Brahmaputra with multimodal terminals at Pandu and Jogighopa, permanent terminals at Dhubri and Bogibeel, multiple floating terminals and assured depth maintenance from the Bangladesh border to Sadiya is redefining sustainable transport in the North Eastern Region. NW2 handles over 98% of Assam’s inland waterways cargo, including vehicles, over-dimensional cargo and construction materials.
Building on IWDC-led coordination, the government has planned investments of ₹5,000 crore for inland waterways development in the Northeast between 2025 and 2030. Projects worth around ₹1152 crore are already under implementation, with detailed project reports underway for the remainder. The upcoming IWDC 3.0 meeting will focus on operationalising Dibrugarh’s Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE), completing the ship-repair facility at Pandu and scaling green vessel operations, reinforcing IWDC’s role as a national platform for coordinated and sustainable inland waterways development. The approach road to Bogibeel River Port and a tourist jetty at Uzan Bazaar Ghat are likely to be announced during the meeting alongside plans to develop 85 jetties across the region’s waterways. The upcoming IWDC 3.0 meeting in Kochi is expected to serve as a dynamic forum to evaluate the potential and advantages of the inland water transport sector and to chart a clear roadmap for its future growth and expansion. The IWDC 3.0 agenda includes sessions on building a resilient urban water transport system, enhancing the efficiency of cargo transport, promoting green vessels for passenger transport, advancing river cruise tourism and implementing digital and sustainable practices.
POINT IAS 