National Waterways

October 16, 2026 4:23 PM

Navigating India’s Waterways: Building a Safer, Smarter Network

India is strengthening its inland waterway network through hydrographic surveys, modern navigation infrastructure and digital information systems as cargo movement on rivers continues to grow. From real-time vessel tracking to the development of the country’s first riverine lighthouses on the Brahmaputra, these initiatives aim to improve navigation safety, operational efficiency and connectivity across the country. Inland waterways are emerging as an important component of India’s transport...

October 17, 2025 4:52 PM

India’s rivers are highways of progress: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described India’s rivers as “highways of progress,” highlighting the country’s ongoing efforts to transform waterways into key components of national logistics and tourism infrastructure. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “India’s rivers are not just symbols of heritage, they are highways of progress!” He also shared an article by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, which focuses on India’s rejuvenated...

May 19, 2025 10:40 PM

Sonowal reviews inland waterways projects in Assam and Northeast; Rs.1,500 cr projects in pipeline to boost maritime growth

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday conducted a comprehensive review of inland waterways infrastructure projects in Assam and the Northeast. The high-level meeting, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd (IPRCL), and state PWD, focused on aligning regional development with Prime Minister Nare...

April 16, 2025 3:17 PM

Cargo traffic on National Waterways hits record high of 145.5 million tonnes in FY 2024-25

Cargo movement on National Waterways reached a record high of 145.5 million tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25, while the number of operational waterways increased from 24 to 29, marking a major milestone for the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, IWAI’s performance reflects significant growth in the inland water transport (IWT) sector during the fiscal year. Cargo traffic on National Waterways has increased from 18.10 MMT in FY 2013–...