India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector has achieved a record cargo movement of 145.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25—nearly eight times the 18.10 MMT recorded in FY 2013–14. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced this milestone on Thursday, attributing the achievement to strategic investments, digital tools, and policy reforms led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
The sector has grown at a CAGR of 20.86% over the last decade, with a 9.34% rise over the previous year alone. Five bulk commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68% of the cargo moved. Passenger movement reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24.
Operational National Waterways increased from 5 in 2014 to 29 today, with the navigable length rising from 2,716 km to 4,894 km. Infrastructure investment over the decade touched Rs. 6,434 crore, with key developments including Multi-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals, and navigational locks.
To shift freight from road and rail to waterways, the “Jalvahak” Cargo Promotion Scheme was launched in December 2024 with a Rs. 95.42 crore budget. It provides a 35% reimbursement on operating costs and has introduced scheduled services on major routes such as Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi (NW-1) and Kolkata–Pandu (NW-2).
The 2025 Budget also extended the tonnage tax regime to inland vessels to ease taxation and promote shipping under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021. Additionally, new regulations notified this year enable private participation in jetty and terminal construction.
To boost multimodal integration, key terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, Haldia, and Kalughat are being transferred to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata. Digital platforms like LADIS, RIS, Car-D, PANI, and MIRS are also improving navigation and logistics efficiency.
Cargo hubs like the Freight Village in Varanasi and Integrated Logistics Park at Sahibganj are being developed, with rail connectivity ensured by NHLML and Indian Port and Rail Company Ltd.
Under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol, trial runs on routes Maia–Sultanganj have been completed and await formal clearance. Over 140 PSUs are being engaged to adopt IWT for cargo, in line with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim for 200 MMT cargo by 2030 and 500 MMT by 2047.
Infrastructure has advanced across waterways like NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-3 (West Coast Canal), NW-4 (Krishna), NW-68 (Goa), and others. Projects on Yamuna, Narmada, and Gandak rivers are also underway.
