New Delhi: The development of inland waterways in India is gaining momentum, with the government of India operationalising 32 National Waterways across the country. Major projects include river terminals, community jetties, multimodal transport hubs, navigation systems, cargo facilities and green vessels. The government aims to make river transport a cheaper, cleaner and more efficient alternative to road and rail freight while supporting its long-term Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The latest details were provided by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on July 24, 2026.
Details of India Inland Waterways Development
India is building a larger inland water transport network to move cargo and passengers through rivers and canals. According to the government, 32 National Waterways are currently operational. The infrastructure includes fairways, multimodal terminals, community jetties, river cruise terminals and digital navigation systems.
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The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, leads the development and regulation of National Waterways.
The projects are also being connected with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve links between waterways, roads, railways and ports.
Why is India investing in inland waterways
The main goal is simple: move goods at a lower cost while reducing pressure on roads and railways. Waterways can be particularly useful for moving large quantities of coal, cement, food grains, fertilisers and other bulk cargo over suitable routes.
The government also expects better inland waterways to improve supply chains, promote river cruise tourism and create economic opportunities around terminals and river ports.
India Inland Waterways Development: Inland waterways can reduce freight costs
One major advantage of Inland Water Transport (IWT) is its relatively low freight cost.
According to figures cited by the government using a 2014 price baseline, the estimated transport cost is:
| Mode of transport | Cost per tonne-km |
| Inland Water Transport | ₹1.06 |
| Railways | ₹1.36 |
| Road/Highways | ₹2.50 |
This means inland waterways can offer a cost advantage for cargo that is suitable for river transport.
The government also says IWT can have a lower environmental impact than road transport, making it an important part of India’s push towards greener logistics.
Jalvahak Scheme encourages cargo movement by waterways
The government has introduced the Jalvahak Cargo Promotion Scheme to encourage companies to shift more cargo towards inland waterways. The scheme provides a 35% financial incentive to eligible cargo owners and scheduled operators for cargo movement on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16 through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route. The government has approved ₹95.42 crore for three years for the scheme.
The aim is to make waterways more attractive for businesses that currently depend heavily on road and rail transport.
India Inland Waterways Development: Government targets 12% share by 2047
India has set an ambitious long-term target for water-based transportation. Under the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, the government aims to increase the combined share of Inland Waterways and Coastal Shipping from 6% to 12% by 2047.
More than 140 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) across petroleum, natural gas, fertilisers, food, steel, coal and other industries have also been engaged to encourage greater cargo movement through waterways.
India Inland Waterways Development: Ganga waterway project reaches 81.97% progress
The Ganga is at the centre of India’s inland waterways strategy. The Jal Marg Vikas Project-I (JMVP-I) is being developed on National Waterway-1 or NW-1, which covers the Ganga river system.
The project has a sanctioned amount of ₹5,061.15 crore and had achieved 81.97% progress as of June 30, 2026, according to the government. Several important projects under NW-1 have already been completed.
These include the Multi-Modal Terminal at Varanasi, the new Navigational Lock at Farakka and the Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat.
India Inland Waterways Development: 66 community jetties completed
The government has also completed 66 community jetties across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. These facilities are now operational.
Meanwhile, the Intermodal Terminal at Balagarh and modernisation of the existing Navigational Lock at Farakka are under implementation.
A ship repair and maintenance facility at Patna and Varanasi is also under implementation.
India Inland Waterways Development: Water Metro planned for Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata
Another major proposal is the development of a Water Metro on NW-1. The proposed Water Metro will cover Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata. It is currently at the DPR and planning stage.
Proposed river cruise terminals at Patna and Varanasi are also at the DPR/planning stage. These projects could eventually improve passenger transport and river tourism in major cities along the Ganga.
India Inland Waterways Development: Brahmaputra NW-2 project reaches 99.96% progress
Development of National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra River has reached an advanced stage. The Comprehensive Development of NW-2 has a sanctioned amount of ₹639.92 crore. As of June 30, 2026, the project had achieved 99.96% progress.
Another project covering the approach road from Pandu Port Terminal to NH-27 and a ship repair facility at Pandu has a sanctioned amount of ₹419 crore and has reached 96.84% progress.
Major inland waterways projects coming up in Northeast India
The government is also developing several projects in the Northeast. Important projects include a ₹283-crore Ship Repair Facility at Pandu, a Tourist Jetty at Bishwanath Ghat and Cargo-cum-Cruise Terminal at Neamati Ghat.
A Regional Centre of Excellence at Dibrugarh, estimated at ₹188 crore, is another important project. Other works include regional offices, steel gangways, link roads, pontoons, vessels and community jetties.
Barak River NW-16 development reaches 48.94%
The government is also developing National Waterway-16 on the Barak River. The comprehensive development project has a sanctioned amount of ₹134.72 crore. Its progress stood at 48.94% as of June 30, 2026.
The government has also renovated or upgraded terminals at Badarpur and Karimganj.
Andhra Pradesh gets ₹1,286 crore of Sagarmala projects
Andhra Pradesh is another important part of India’s waterways and maritime infrastructure programme. The government has sanctioned nine Sagarmala projects worth ₹1,286 crore in the state.
Projects include a coastal berth at Visakhapatnam Port, road connectivity projects, fishing harbour development and maritime skill infrastructure. Modernisation of the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, costing ₹178.51 crore, is under implementation.
The government expects these projects to improve supply chains, reduce logistics costs and help move agriculture and aquaculture products more efficiently.
NW-4 development continues in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Development is also underway on National Waterway-4 (NW-4). Land acquisition has been completed at Muktyala and Harichandrapuram, while development at Ibrahimpatnam is progressing. Ro-Ro terminals have been developed at Muktyala and Harischandrapuram.
Four floating pontoon jetties have also been handed over in Andhra Pradesh, while three steel floating pontoon jetties are under fabrication for Telangana’s Krishna River.
Kerala waterways get navigation upgrades
Waterway infrastructure is also being expanded in Kerala on NW-3, NW-8 and NW-9. The government says fairway development is continuing.
Navigation lock reconstruction at Thrikunnapuzha and a single-lane bridge at Kovilthottam have been entrusted to the Kerala government.
Twenty-four-hour navigation aids have also been installed on NW-8 and NW-9, while four HDPE jetties have been installed on NW-3.
Odisha, Goa and Gujarat waterways also being developed
In Odisha, development is taking place on NW-5, NW-14 and NW-64. The government says 10 navigation buoys have been installed on the Mahanadi River, while the Talcher-Dhamra-Paradip stretch has been developed to support coal transportation. In Goa, the Mandovi, Zuari and Cumberjua rivers are being developed for cruise tourism. The government says 10 concrete jetties, including four floating concrete jetties on NW-68, have been provided.
In Gujarat, inland waterway infrastructure is being developed on the Narmada and Tapi rivers, with floating concrete jetties installed.
West Bengal gets waterway and connectivity projects
West Bengal is also part of the national waterways expansion. A single-lane bridge across the Ichamati River on NW-44 was completed in March 2026. The 201-km international route through Sundarban Waterways on NW-97 is also being maintained for cross-border water transport.
Waterway projects planned in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab
The government is expanding its waterways strategy beyond traditionally navigable river systems. In Jammu & Kashmir, onshore facilities, floating concrete jetties and navigation aids have been initiated for waterways on the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers.
Feasibility studies are underway for the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh and the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
India Inland Waterways Development: Digital technology to make river navigation easier
Technology is becoming an important part of India’s inland waterways development. IWAI has introduced the PANI — Portal for Asset and Navigation Information to help with navigation planning.
The Jalyan & Navic Portal provides a central database for online registration of vessels and crew. The CAR-D Cargo Data Portal supports real-time cargo tracking and logistics data integration. The Jal Samriddhi Portal supports commercial and operational activities across India’s National Waterways.
India Inland Waterways Development: River Information System operational on the Ganga
A River Information System (RIS) has been implemented on important sections of NW-1. It covers Haldia-Farakka, Farakka-Patna and Patna-Varanasi. The system includes four control stations, 13 base stations, AIS, VHF communication and meteorological sensors.
RIS consoles have also been installed on 30 departmental vessels to support real-time river traffic monitoring.
Hydrographic surveys cover 22 National Waterways
Regular hydrographic surveys are being carried out across 22 National Waterways and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route. These surveys help authorities understand river depth and fairway conditions and support safer navigation.
Electronic Navigational Charts have also been prepared and uploaded on PANI and the IWAI Vessel Tracker for several operational and tidal waterways.
Why does India’s inland waterways development matter
India’s inland waterways development could change how bulk goods are transported across the country. Road and rail will remain essential, but waterways can provide another option for moving heavy cargo over suitable routes at potentially lower costs.
The programme could also help improve connectivity between ports, industrial centres and inland markets. At the same time, river cruise terminals, Water Metro projects and passenger jetties could create new opportunities for tourism and local transport.
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