{"id":361605,"date":"2026-04-27T15:59:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=361605"},"modified":"2026-04-27T16:04:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:34:45","slug":"inland-waterways-in-india-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/inland-waterways-in-india-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"Inland Waterways in India – Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"
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India possesses an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks. These routes offer a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way to move freight, as they use fuel efficiently and produce fewer emissions. They require minimal land, safely carry bulk\/over-dimensional\u00a0cargo, and maintain high safety standards across operations. \nRecognising this potential, the\u00a0Union Budget 2026-27<\/strong>\u00a0announces the operationalisation of\u00a020 new National Waterways over the next five years<\/strong>\u00a0and introduces a\u00a0Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme<\/strong>\u00a0that seeks to shift cargo from road and rail to water transport. This policy push is intended to increase the combined share of inland waterways and coastal shipping from\u00a06%<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a012%<\/strong>\u00a0by 2047. \nIn this article we will look at the status of Inland waterways sector in India. We will look at its advantages and the initiatives taken for its development. We will delve into the challenges that the sector faces with the way ahead for the sector.<\/p>\n
The National Waterways Act, 2016, declares 111 inland waterways as\u00a0‘National Waterways (NWs)<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0across the country to stimulate shipping and navigation. The\u00a0total length of these NWs is 20,187 km<\/strong>, and they are\u00a0spread across 23 States and 4 Union Territories of India<\/strong>. \nAs of March 2026,\u00a032 National Waterways are operational,<\/strong>\u00a0spanning 5,155 km<\/strong>\u00a0in the country for cargo and passenger movement, and the number is proposed to increase to 52 in the next 5 years.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985<\/strong><\/td>\n
The\u00a0Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985<\/strong>\u00a0provides for the creation of a dedicated authority to regulate and develop inland waterways for shipping and navigation, along with related activities. \nUnder this Act, the\u00a0Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)<\/strong> was established by the Central Government to develop and regulate inland waterways for shipping and navigation. \nThe IWAI mainly works on developing and maintaining infrastructure for inland water transport (IWT) on national waterways.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maritime India Vision 2030<\/strong><\/td>\n
Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030)<\/strong> is a strategic roadmap<\/strong> released by the Government of India to modernize and expand the maritime sector by 2030. \n \nInland Water Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) aims to increase the modal share of freight movement through IWT from 2% to 5%<\/span> and traffic volume to more than 200 MMT by 2030<\/span> & 500 MMT by 2047<\/span> in line with the Maritime India Vision 2030<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047<\/strong><\/td>\n
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047<\/strong> is India\u2019s long-term strategic roadmap to transform its maritime sector by the year 2047. \nThe Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 Action Points have been defined across 11 key themes which are provided as below. \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Jal Marg Vikas Project<\/strong><\/td>\n
The Jal Marg Vikas Project<\/strong>, along with Jal Marg Vikas Project-II (Arth Ganga)<\/strong>, is being implemented to improve navigability on National Waterway-1 and to support the socio-economic development of communities along the Ganga River banks.<\/p>\n
It aims at enhancing multi-modal connectivity<\/span> including rail, inland water, coastal and road services.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Interlinking of Rivers Programme<\/strong><\/td>\n
The project is expected to offer potential benefits to the inland waterways transport sector through navigation<\/span>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Jalvahak Scheme\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n
Jalvahak scheme<\/strong>\u00a0promotes a strategic transition of cargo to inland waterways by providing incentives to vessel operators and supporting scheduled cargo services on NW-1, NW-2<\/strong> and NW-16<\/strong> via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. \nUnder the scheme, up to\u00a035% of the actual operating cost<\/strong>\u00a0of a waterway journey is reimbursed. \nThe scheme is expected to shift about\u00a0800 million tonne kilometres of cargo<\/strong>\u00a0to inland waterways, which is nearly\u00a017%\u00a0<\/strong>of the total cargo movement currently carried on National Waterways.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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The Inland Vessels Act, 2021<\/strong><\/td>\n
It brings uniform rules for inland waterways across the country. It ensures safe navigation and protects life and cargo. It also reduces pollution from the use of inland vessels. The Act promotes transparent and accountable administration of inland water transport.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n
The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025 <\/strong>states that\u00a0the Central Government publishes a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan within two years of the Act\u2019s commencement<\/strong>, and updates it every two years. \nThe Strategic Plan\u00a0identifies coastal shipping routes<\/strong>, including those that overlap with inland waterways, and\u00a0specifies the operational improvements needed to make coastal maritime transport more cost-efficient for goods and passengers<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Harit Nauka Inland Vessels Green Transition Guidelines<\/strong><\/td>\n
Harit Nauka Inland Vessels Green Transition Guidelines<\/strong>\u00a0provide a strategic framework for making inland water transport cleaner, more efficient, and future-ready in line with India\u2019s National Maritime Vision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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River Cruise Tourism Roadmap, 2047<\/strong><\/td>\n
The\u00a0River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047<\/strong>\u00a0provides a structured framework to promote river cruise tourism in India. It focuses on four key pillars: infrastructure development, integration, accessibility, and supportive policy measures.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Digital Initiatives<\/strong><\/td>\n
CAR-D (Cargo Data)<\/strong>\u00a0is a\u00a0web-based portal<\/strong>\u00a0developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to collect, analyse, and share data on cargo and cruise movement on\u00a0National Waterways.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS)\u00a0<\/strong>has been introduced to share information on the minimum available water depth in navigation channels on selected National Waterways. An assured water depth is essential for the smooth movement of vessels.<\/p>\n
River Information Services (RIS)<\/strong>\u00a0is an integrated digital system designed to improve\u00a0safety, efficiency, and traffic management<\/strong>\u00a0on inland waterways. It enables real-time vessel tracking, monitors waterway and navigation conditions, and provides updates on weather and water levels. It also supports communication between vessels and control centres.<\/p>\n
IWAI Vessel Tracker and PANI Portal\u00a0<\/strong>together offer a digital solution for e-navigation on inland waterways. They are available as a web portal and a mobile application. The system provides updated navigation routes, water depth information, and real-time vessel tracking to support safe and efficient movement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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