Latest news with #NationalWaterwaysAct
Fibre2Fashion
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
India to operationalise 76 waterways by 2027, targets cargo surge
India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has announced plans to make 76 inland waterways operational by 2027 during a Consultative Committee meeting held in Mumbai. Cargo volumes through these routes are expected to increase by 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the end of fiscal 2026 (FY26). The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency under the ministry, presented a comprehensive review of major projects, future projections, and the roadmap ahead. India aims to make 76 inland waterways operational by 2027, with cargo volumes expected to rise by 156 MTPA by FY26. Key initiatives include the Jal Marg Vikas Project, Maritime India Vision 2030, and a ₹5,000 crore (~$586.27 million) Northeast development roadmap. Major terminals and corridors are being developed on NW-1, NW-2, NW-16, and NW-31 to boost economic activity and transport efficiency. 'Inland waterways are emerging as the watershed moment in India ' s logistics and transport ecosystem. We are witnessing a transformational shift with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan and Navic among others. Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,' Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said in a press release. 'These roadmaps are not just policy documents—they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse. Today ' s meeting with esteemed Members of Parliament reflects a unified commitment to boost infrastructure and unlock the immense economic potential of our rivers and coasts. With enhanced budgetary support and cooperative federalism, we are building a greener, more efficient, and future-ready waterway network across the country,' added Sonowal. The Regional Waterways Grid is designed to enhance economic activity by enabling seamless vessel movement along a 4,067 km corridor connecting Varanasi to Dibrugarh, Karimganj, and Badarpur via the IBP route. A traffic study and detailed project report (DPR) for the renovation of the Jangipur navigation lock are currently underway. The corridor is projected to handle cargo volumes of 32.2 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) by 2033. On National Waterway 1 (Ganga), a 1,390 km dedicated corridor is under development to facilitate smooth vessel movement and improve the efficiency of inland water transport. The capacity enhancement of NW-1 aims to support vessels of 1,500–2,000 DWT, alongside the establishment of key cargo terminals at Varanasi (MMT), Kalughat (IMT), Sahibganj (MMT), and Haldia (MMT). The Inland Waterways sector is also undertaking major infrastructure initiatives in the Northeast. A ₹5,000 crore (~$586.27 million) development roadmap has been laid out for the next five years. On NW-2 (Brahmaputra), four permanent terminals—Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu, and Bogibeel—and 13 floating terminals are being supported through fairway and navigation improvements. A ₹208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu and a ₹180 crore alternative road are slated for completion by 2026 and 2025, respectively. On NW-16 (Barak), the terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur are operational, while development of NW-31 (Dhansiri) is underway to support the expansion of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
'Inland waterways to expand from 11 states to 23 states and 3UTs,' says Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday chaired a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Inland Waterways Transport in Mumbai, where it was revealed that 76 waterways are targeted to be made operational by 2027, with cargo volume expected to surge by 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by end of FY 2026, an official statement said. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency under the Ministry, presented a comprehensive review of major projects, future projections, and the roadmap ahead. Members of Parliament attending the meeting acknowledged and appreciated the progress made and supported increased budgetary allocations to boost the sector's growth. The footprint of inland water transport is expected to expand significantly-from 11 states in FY 2024 to 23 states and 4 Union Territories by FY 2027. To support this growth, projects worth Rs. 1,400 crores were launched or announced during the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting held on January 10 earlier this year. Additionally, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is conducting 10,000 km of longitudinal survey each month to assess Least Available Depth (LAD) for improved navigability. Cargo Volume is likely to make an incremental growth up to 156 MTPA by March, 2026 inching closer towards the Maritime India Vision 2030 target of 200 MTPA. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, 'Inland waterways are emerging as the watershed moment in India's logistics and transport ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are witnessing a transformational shift with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan & Navic among others. Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.' 'These roadmaps are not just policy documents-they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse. Today's meeting with esteemed Members of Parliament reflects a unified commitment to boost infrastructure and unlock the immense economic potential of our rivers and coasts. With enhanced budgetary support and cooperative federalism, we are building a greener, more efficient, and future-ready waterway network across the country,' he added. The Regional Waterways Grid aims to boost economic activity by ensuring seamless vessel movement from Varanasi to Dibrugarh, Karimganj, and Badarpur via the IBP route, creating a 4,067 km economic corridor. A traffic study and DPR for renovating the Jangipur navigation lock are underway. The project's cargo potential is estimated at 32.2 MMTPA by 2033. On NW 1 (Ganga), a dedicated waterway corridor spanning 1,390 km is being developed to enable seamless movement of vessels, enhancing the efficiency of inland transport. As part of this initiative, capacity augmentation of NW-1 is underway to support the navigation of 1,500-2,000 DWT vessels, alongside the creation of key cargo handling facilities at Varanasi (MMT), Kalughat (IMT), Sahibganj (MMT), and Haldia (MMT). Inland Waterways has major projects in the Northeast. A Rs 5,000 crore roadmap is planned over the next five years. On NW-2 (Brahmaputra), four permanent terminals--Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu, and Bogibeel--and 13 floating terminals are supported by fairway and navigation upgrades. A Rs 208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu and a Rs 180 crore alternative road are set for completion by 2026 and 2025, respectively. On NW-16 (Barak), terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur are active, while NW-31 (Dhansiri) is being developed to support NRL's expansion. Adding further, Sonowal said, 'In line with the Harit Nauka Guidelines, the Inland Waterways Authority is committed to green and sustainable transport solutions, including the procurement of electric catamarans and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels. By strengthening urban water transport through water metro projects and promoting eco-friendly cruise tourism, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future in inland waterways transportation. The Regional Waterways Grid aims to seamlessly connect Assam and the Northeast with the rest of India through an integrated network of inland waterways. This will boost regional trade, tourism, and connectivity while unlocking economic potential across the Brahmaputra and Barak River systems. Government is also working on a Rs 5,000 crore roadmap for Inland Waterways Development in Northeast over next 5 years.' The committee also reviewed the ongoing works on NW -1 (river Ganga), NW 2 (Brahmaputra) among other states like Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. India's river cruise tourism is witnessing robust growth, with 15 river cruise circuits now operational across 13 National Waterways (NWs) spanning nine states. The number of NWs supporting river cruises has risen from just three in 2013-14 to 13 in 2024-25, while luxury river cruise vessels have increased significantly from three to 25 during the same period. To further boost inland water-based tourism, 51 additional cruise circuits have been identified on 47 NWs for development by 2027. Three World class river cruise terminals are also planned, with construction underway at Kolkata. Feasibility studies for terminals at Varanasi and Guwahati are being conducted by IIT Madras, while four more terminals at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are set to be developed by 2027. The Consultative Committee meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal while Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shantanu Thakur was also present. (ANI)
