Govt Launches Digital Portal to Attract Private Investment in National Waterways
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has launched a dedicated digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to facilitate private investment in infrastructure development on National Waterways.
This initiative follows the introduction of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, which provides a structured framework for private sector participation in the construction and operation of jetties and terminals across India's waterways network. The move aims to boost inland water transport, enhance logistics efficiency, and promote sustainable infrastructure development.
As per the newly notified National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, any entity — including private players — can now develop or operate an inland waterway terminal on a National Waterway by securing a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The regulations apply to both existing and new terminals, whether permanent or temporary.
The Union Minister said, “The launch of the National Waterways Regulations, 2025, along with the digital portal developed by IWAI, marks a transformative step in India's maritime and logistics ecosystem. By enabling private participation in developing jetties and terminals, we are going to unlock immense potential for sustainable infrastructure growth in the inland waterways transportation, a vision of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. This initiative not only simplifies regulatory procedures but also reflects our commitment to Ease of Doing Business (EODB), economic empowerment, and job creation. It paves the way for a modern, efficient, economical and inclusive inland water transport system powering the nation towards Viksit Bharat.”
With an investment of approximately Rs. 8 crores, the company will establish a jetty at Malim on National Waterway-68 (River Mandovi) in Goa. Designed to berth up to 16 privately owned yachts and pleasure crafts up to 30 meters in length, the jetty will support docking and undocking for each trip, helping boost river cruise tourism along the waterway.
