Major Investments in Infrastructure and Green Vessels
IWDC 3.0 approved ₹900 crore for new infrastructure projects including a slipway facility at Kochi, construction of 110 jetties in Odisha and the Northeast, and development of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS) in Maharashtra. Asset procurement worth ₹465 crore was also sanctioned for survey vessels, hybrid and Ro-Pax vessels, dredgers, and tug-barge units, enhancing navigability, safety, and year-round operations.
Boosting Tourism and Passenger Services
Foundation stones were laid for river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana, supporting cruise tourism expansion. A ₹70 crore cruise terminal at Uzan Bazar Ghat in Guwahati and a ₹144 crore approach road to Bogibeel River Port in Dibrugarh will further strengthen passenger movement and tourism infrastructure. Ten hybrid electric vessels will also operate on the Jhelum River in Jammu & Kashmir, promoting sustainable passenger transport.
Kerala Focus and Jal Vahak Scheme Expansion
Kerala’s waterways received special attention, including initiatives under the Jal Vahak cargo promotion scheme offering reimbursement up to 35% of operating costs for cargo movement via inland waterways. Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Services will demonstrate the efficiency of inland waterways as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport mode. Additional investments include river cruise jetties and the induction of a survey vessel for safe navigation and passenger services.
Economic, Environmental, and Regional Benefits
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that inland waterways are fuel-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, reducing carbon emissions and decongesting roads. The Northeast region will see 85 new jetties with investment exceeding ₹500 crore, boosting connectivity, trade, tourism, and livelihoods of riverine communities. Cargo movement on national waterways has surged from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25, while luxury river cruise vessels have increased fivefold.
Future Roadmap and Technology Integration
IWDC 3.0 reaffirmed priorities for deploying green and hybrid vessels, digital navigation and traffic management systems, modern inland terminals, and maritime skill development. Regulatory challenges were discussed to ensure coordinated and expedited project execution. The council emphasized inland waterways as a preferred, future-ready mode of transport, integrating sustainability, efficiency, and digital solutions under India’s multimodal logistics framework.
