Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday unveiled projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore aimed at strengthening the inland waterways transport infrastructure in the country.
Sonowal made the announcements while addressing the third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kochi, Kerala.
One of the key announcements is the extension of the Jal Vahak Scheme to the National Waterways (NWs) in Kerala.
The scheme offers reimbursement of up to 35 per cent of the total operating expenditure incurred while transporting cargo through inland waterways in the state.
To improve the commercial viability for vessel operators, the scheme encourages cargo owners to hire vessels owned/operated by entities other than the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) or the Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd (ICSL).
The shipping minister added that the incentive scheme would benefit major shipping companies, freight forwarders, trade bodies, and associations handling bulk and containerised cargo.
“By opting for the scheme, they get an opportunity to optimise their supply chain network. The scheme is initially valid for three years,” he explained.
Another major announcement was the commencement of a Fixed-Day Scheduled Sailing Service on commercially viable stretches of operational National Waterways in Kerala. This initiative aims to demonstrate the readiness of inland waterways as a viable, economical, and environmentally responsible alternative for cargo transportation, the minister said.
Sonowal also announced the development of slipway facilities in Kochi at a cost of Rs 50 crore to support the timely repair and maintenance of inland water transport vessels. River cruise jetties and one survey vessel were also announced for Kerala.
In addition, river cruise jetties were announced for Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana. Ro-Ro cargo terminals will be developed on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh.
Other major projects announced include onshore facilities on the River Jhelum in Jammu and Kashmir; four Ro-Pax berthing jetties in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal; 20 pontoons in West Bengal and Bihar; quick pontoon opening mechanisms in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; an approach road to the Bogibeel river port in Assam; and 110 jetties in Odisha and northeastern India.
A cruise terminal has also been announced at the Uzan Bazaar Ghat in Assam, along with ten hybrid-electric catamarans in Jammu and Kashmir and a National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) in Maharashtra.
The minister also said that various hybrid survey vessels, cutter suction dredgers, and tug-barge units would be procured to ensure smooth navigation across National Waterways across India.
“The last eleven years have shown what clear vision, political will, and cooperative federalism can achieve,” Sonowal said.
He added that MoUs worth Rs 39,000 crore were signed in the inland waterways sector during the India Maritime Week 2025, underlining the immense potential for infrastructure development in the sector.
“As we move towards Viksit Bharat @2047, inland waterways will play a decisive role in reducing logistics costs, cutting emissions, creating river-based livelihoods, and strengthening multimodal connectivity,” the minister declared.
For more maritime and shipping news and views, visit: Maritime, Ahoy!