Govt Takes Steps to Boost Cargo, Passenger Traffic on National Waterways: Union minister Sonowal
New Delhi, Aug. 4 (TNT): The Centre has taken a series of measures, including introducing new regulations, incentive schemes and digital platforms, to encourage private investment and increase cargo and passenger traffic on National Waterways (NWs), Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply, the Union Minister in the House said the Government has notified the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 to facilitate the construction and operation of terminals by private entities and expand the operational network of inland waterways.
He said the Jalvahak Scheme has been launched to provide incentives of up to 35 per cent for promoting cargo movement through inland waterways and encouraging a shift from road and rail transport.
The Government is also promoting private sector participation through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models by offering long-term concessions for the operation and maintenance of terminals.
Sonowal said the Jalyan & Navic Portal, a single-window national registry for inland vessels and crew, has become fully operational. As of July 30, 2026, 18 States and Union Territories had been integrated with the portal, with 9,953 inland vessels and 1,215 crew members registered.
The Union Minister identified major challenges in expanding inland water transport, including limited industrial activity along waterways, shortage of suitable inland vessels, inadequate first- and last-mile connectivity, insufficient multimodal logistics infrastructure and low awareness among cargo owners about the benefits of inland waterways.
To address these challenges, the Government has initiated the development of multi-modal terminals, inter-modal terminals, community jetties, floating terminals and cargo aggregation hubs to strengthen multimodal connectivity.
Other measures include improving fairway conditions, promoting private participation in vessel operations, operationalising additional routes under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP), developing passenger and cruise infrastructure, establishing Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), maintaining navigable fairways through river training works and hydrographic surveys, and engaging with Central ministries, State governments, public sector undertakings and private stakeholders to encourage greater use of inland waterways.
The Union Minister said these initiatives are aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and increasing the share of inland waterways in India’s cargo and passenger transport network.
TNT KS
