Government Accelerates Inland Waterways Development with New Terminals, Logistics Hubs and Port Projects Across India
Key policy initiatives include the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, the Jalvahak Scheme, extension of Tonnage Tax benefits, and the development of multimodal terminals, jetties and fairways to strengthen India's inland waterways network.
On National Waterway-1 (Haldia-Prayagraj), several projects have been completed or are under implementation. In Uttar Pradesh, the Rs. 182.33 crore Multimodal Terminal at Varanasi, 15 community jetties, hydrogen-powered vessels, and Ayodhya's hybrid electric vessel terminal have been completed. Ongoing projects include a Rs. 182.93 crore ship repair facility, Rs. 188 crore Freight Village-Multimodal Logistics Park, Rs. 200 crore river cruise terminals, and a Rs. 250 crore Regional Centre of Ecellence at Varanasi.
The government is also undertaking Water Metro projects at Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, while continuing fairway development and Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism installations to improve navigability.
In Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, major investments include the Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat, Multimodal Terminals at Sahibganj and Haldia, the New Navigational Lock at Farakka, ship repair facilities, community jetties and ongoing fairway development works.
Beyond inland waterways, the government is developing the Rs. 76,220 crore Vadhavan Greenfield Deep Water Port in Maharashtra, one of India's largest port infrastructure projects.
In the North-East, major completed projects include terminals at Pandu, Dhubri, Jogighopa, Bogibeel and Sonamura, along with cargo terminals, tourist jetties and fairway development on National Waterways-2 and 16. Ongoing projects include a Rs. 283.33 crore ship repair facility at Pandu, fairway development on the Brahmaputra, cargo-cum-cruise terminals, community jetties, survey vessels and passenger vessel projects across Assam and neighbouring states.
The government is also expanding inland waterway infrastructure across other National Waterways in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Odisha, Kerala and West Bengal through new Ro-Ro terminals, floating jetties and passenger infrastructure.
Recently approved projects in Uttar Pradesh include the Varanasi Ship Repair Facility, scheduled for completion within two years, and the Freight Village-Multimodal Logistics Park at Varanasi, with the Letter of Award targeted for October 2026.
Published on:
10 August 2026
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