India to Operationalise 20 New National Waterways; Cargo Movement Hits Record High
The country currently has 111 declared National Waterways spanning 20,187 km across 23 states and four Union Territories, of which 32 waterways are operational. The proposed additions are expected to expand the operational network to 52 NWs in the coming years, significantly boosting cargo and passenger movement.
In a major milestone, cargo transportation on National Waterways reached an all-time high of 145.84 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25, reflecting the growing importance of waterways as a cost-effective and sustainable mode of transport.
The government is also targeting a sharp increase in the modal share of inland waterways, aiming to raise it from the current 2% to 5%, with a long-term goal of expanding the combined share of inland waterways and coastal shipping from 6% to 12% by 2047.
As part of the expansion strategy, key projects include the operationalisation of National Waterway-5 in Odisha, which will link mineral-rich regions such as Talcher and Angul with industrial hubs like Kalinga Nagar and ports including Paradip and Dhamra. Additionally, ship repair ecosystems are planned in Varanasi and Patna, along with the development of training institutes as Centres of Excellence to build skilled manpower.
The push towards inland waterways is aligned with India’s broader logistics and sustainability goals. Water transport is significantly more energy-efficient than road and rail, with lower emissions and operating costs, while also reducing congestion on traditional transport networks.
With continued investments in infrastructure, digital systems, and green vessel initiatives, inland waterways are emerging as a key pillar of India’s multimodal transport strategy and long-term economic growth.
Published on:
28 April 2026
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