Kochi: The Inland Waterways Development Council, at its third meeting held in Kochi, approved projects worth over ₹1,500 crore to expand inland water transport and promote green mobility across India.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the day-long IWDC 3.0 meeting on January 23. Ministers from several states and senior officials attended the session. Together, they reviewed progress and strengthened Centre–State coordination for inland waterways.
Under the IWDC 3.0 projects, authorities laid foundation stones for works exceeding ₹150 crore. These include river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana. As a result, cruise tourism circuits will expand across multiple states.
The council also reviewed Ro-Ro and cargo terminal development at Muktyala and Harishchandrapuram on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, officials approved onshore facilities on the Jhelum River in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen passenger movement and tourism.
The plan includes deploying 10 hybrid electric vessels on National Waterway 49. Therefore, authorities expect safer and year-round operations in the region.
Asset procurement worth over ₹465 crore also received approval. These assets include survey vessels, Ro-Pax berthing jetties, floating pontoons, dredgers and tug-barge units. Consequently, navigability, safety and efficiency will improve.
IWDC 3.0 projects prioritise cargo, tourism and green transport
The council was apprised of new projects exceeding ₹900 crore. These include a slipway facility at Kochi and construction of 110 jetties across Odisha and the Northeast. Moreover, officials approved the National River Traffic and Navigation System in Maharashtra.
Projects in Assam include a ₹70-crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati. Additionally, a ₹144-crore approach road will connect the Bogibeel River Port in Dibrugarh.
Addressing the meeting, Sonowal said inland waterways had become a strategic pillar of India’s logistics transformation. He added that the sector reduced congestion, lowered logistics costs and improved ease of doing business.
Kerala received special focus during IWDC 3.0. The council discussed expanding the Jal Vahak cargo promotion scheme to more national waterways. The scheme offers reimbursement of up to 35% of operating costs. Therefore, it is expected to attract private participation.
The meeting also highlighted the Northeast as a priority region. The government plans to develop 85 jetties with an investment of over ₹500 crore. As a result, connectivity, trade and livelihoods will improve.
Officials reviewed sectoral growth over the past decade. Cargo movement rose from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25. Meanwhile, operational national waterways increased from 3 to 32.
The council reaffirmed priorities such as green vessels, digital navigation systems and modern terminals. IWDC 3.0 concluded with a joint commitment to accelerate execution and strengthen inland waterways as a sustainable transport mode.
