Kochi, Kerala, 23rd of January 2026 : The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) concluded with a comprehensive roadmap to expand India’s inland water transport network, approve major infrastructure investments and strengthen Centre–State coordination to unlock the full economic potential of the country’s rivers.
Chaired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the day-long meeting was also attended by Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh; Sharwan Kumar, Minister of Transport, Government of Bihar; K. G. Kenye, Minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Nagaland; Ojing Tasing, Minister of Rural Development, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Daya Shankar Singh, Minister of Transport, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Barinder Kumar Goyal, Minister of Water Resources, Government of Punjab. The meeting marked a significant milestone in India’s journey towards strengthening inland water transport as a key pillar of sustainable and efficient logistics.
IWDC 3.0 identified projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore, aimed at accelerating green mobility, strengthening multimodal logistics and promoting river-led economic development. Foundation stones were laid for projects exceeding ₹150 crore, including river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana, supporting the expansion of cruise tourism circuits across the country.
Addressing the council, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that inland waterways have emerged as a strategic pillar of India’s transport and logistics transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Our dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has given special impetus to inland waterways, which has eased congestion on roads, reduced logistics costs and strengthened ease of doing business. Today, under the visionary leadership of Modi ji, inland waterways have become a strategic pillar of India’s multimodal logistics framework. Guided by this vision, rivers are no longer viewed merely as natural resources but as economic lifelines driving growth, sustainability and connectivity,” he said.
Special emphasis was placed on the Northeast region, where waterways projects are expected to significantly boost connectivity, trade, tourism and livelihoods of riverine communities. The government plans to develop 85 jetties across the Northeast with an investment exceeding ₹500 crore, strengthening regional logistics integration.
“The Council has noted ₹70-crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati and a ₹144-crore approach road connectivity project to the Bogibeel River Port in Dibrugarh. These projects will significantly strengthen the state’s inland waterway infrastructure, boost river cruise tourism and improve last-mile connectivity. Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Northeast as the Ashta Lakshmi engine of growth, these initiatives will create new opportunities for trade, employment and sustainable development along the Brahmaputra.”
The council was appraised about the major new projects worth over ₹900 crore, including development of a slipway facility at Kochi, construction of 110 jetties across Odisha (25) and the Northeast (85), and implementation of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS) in Maharashtra, development of a ₹70-crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati and a ₹144-crore approach road connectivity project to the Bogibeel River Port in Dibrugarh on Brahmaputra (NW-2).
“The Northeast holds a central place in India’s inland waterways vision. With its vast river network, the region has the potential to emerge as a major hub for sustainable transport, trade and tourism. The development of 85 jetties with an investment of over ₹500 crore will significantly strengthen connectivity, integrate regional logistics and create new livelihood opportunities for riverine communities. Inland waterways will not only bring the Northeast closer to national markets but also unlock its role as a gateway for growth, prosperity and regional integration,” said Sarbananda Sonowal.
The council was appraised about the development of Ro-Ro and cargo terminals at Muktyala and Harishchandrapuram on the Krishna River (NW4) in Andhra Pradesh, which will strengthen cargo movement. Onshore facilities on the Jhelum River (NW49) in Jammu and Kashmir were also approved to support passenger movement and tourism infrastructure. A total of 10 hybrid electric vessels will be deployed on NW 49 in Jammu & Kashmir.
Asset procurement worth over ₹465 crore was also announced to enhance navigability, safety and year-round operations. These include survey vessels in Kerala; Ro-Pax berthing jetties in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal; floating pontoons and quick-opening mechanisms in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal; hybrid survey vessels; amphibian and cutter suction dredgers; and tug-barge units.
The meeting reviewed the sector’s rapid expansion over the past decade. Cargo movement on national waterways has increased from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25, while the number of operational national waterways have grown tenfold from 3 to 32. The number of luxury river cruise vessels has increased from 5 to 25, highlighting the growing confidence of industry, investors and state governments. The number of operational terminals has gone from 15 to 25, and floating jetties from 30 to 100.
The meeting was also attended by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, MoPSW; Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson, IWAI; Sunil Kumar Singh, Vice Chairman, IWAI among other senior officials of the central and state governments, industry representatives and experts.
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