How IWAI’s waterway-based transport is making cargo movement easy in India

New Delhi: Cargo movement on National Waterways has reached a historic high of 145.5 million tonnes (MMT) in 2024-25. It is the highest ever recorded in the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector.

The number of operational waterways also rose from 24 to 29, marking a significant expansion in the IWT network.

A decade of strong growth:

Cargo traffic has grown exponentially over the last ten years, increasing from 18.10 MMT in FY-14 to 145.5 MMT in FY-25, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.86%. Compared to the previous year, FY-25 saw a 9.34% year-on-year growth. Five key commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—contributed to over 68% of the total cargo moved.

This surge in cargo movement is a direct result of focused policy measures and infrastructure development by IWAI to promote waterway-based transport.

Jalvahak scheme – Driving modal shift:

Launched in December, the Jalvahak Cargo Promotion Scheme aims to encourage the shift of cargo from road and rail to waterways. It offers an incentive of up to 35% of actual operating costs incurred on IWT routes. To enhance its effectiveness, scheduled cargo services were introduced on NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route. The scheme is expected to divert approximately 800 million tonne-kilometers of cargo to waterways—about 17% of the current total cargo movement on National Waterways.

Simplified process for IWT infrastructure development:

With the introduction of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, setting up inland terminals has become easier. A digital portal now facilitates faster issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), encouraging investments from private, public, and joint venture entities in IWT infrastructure across the country.

Strategic infrastructure and technology initiatives:

IWAI is implementing a range of initiatives to support and accelerate cargo movement:

Fairway Development: Ensuring consistent navigability through end-to-end dredging projects.

Digital Solutions: Portals like CAR-D and PANI are streamlining regulatory processes. Centralized systems like Jalyaan (for vessel registration) and Navic (for crew registration) have been launched to enhance operational transparency.

Naudarshika: A National River Traffic and Navigational System has been deployed to ensure safe and efficient vessel movement.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Development of IWT terminals, night navigation systems, and navigational locks is underway to support growing cargo volumes.

Guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI continues to strengthen India’s inland waterway network. The consistent growth in cargo volumes stands as a testament to the effectiveness of recent initiatives, positioning IWT as a reliable, sustainable, and efficient mode of transport for the future.