Inland Waterways To Expand To 23 States By FY27

According to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the scope of inland water transportation is anticipated to grow dramatically from 11 states in FY2024 to 23 states and 4 Union Territories by FY2027. Projects totaling Rs 1,400 crore were introduced or announced at the January 10 meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) to facilitate this expansion.

The Consultative Committee on Inland Waterways Transport in Mumbai had a meeting, and the results showed that 76 waterways are projected to be operational by 2027. By the end of FY 2026, the amount of cargo is predicted to increase by 156 million tonnes per year (MTPA). The Ministry’s nodal body, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), gave a thorough overview of the main projects, future forecasts, and the next roadmap.

Additionally, in order to evaluate Least Available Depth (LAD) for better navigability, the IWAI conducts a monthly longitudinal study of 10,000 km. By March 2026, cargo volume is anticipated to increase gradually to 156 MTPA, bringing it one step closer to the 200 MTPA goal set forth in “Maritime India Vision 2030.”

“Inland waterways are emerging as the watershed moment in India’s logistics and transport ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are witnessing a transformational shift with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan and Navic, among others,“ said Sonowal.

These roadmaps—the “Maritime India Vision 2030” and the “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047″—are more than merely policy statements; they are engines propelling India to prominence in the maritime world. In the northeast, Inland Waterways is working on significant projects. Over the following five years, a roadmap of Rs 5,000 crore is envisaged.

“In line with the ‘Harit Nauka Guidelines’, the Inland Waterways Authority is committed to green and sustainable transport solutions, including the procurement of electric catamarans and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels,” said the minister.