Inland Waterways Development Council Approves Comprehensive Expansion Roadmap
The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) concluded on Friday in Kochi with a comprehensive roadmap designed to significantly expand India's inland water transport network. The council approved major infrastructure investments and strengthened Centre-state coordination mechanisms to unlock the full economic potential of the country's extensive river systems.
Strategic Importance of Inland Waterways
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who chaired the meeting, emphasized that inland waterways have emerged as a strategic pillar of India's transport and logistics transformation. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special impetus to inland waterways development, which has already begun easing congestion on roads, reducing logistics costs, and strengthening ease of doing business across the country," Sonowal stated during his interaction with media representatives.
Kerala as Key Focus Area
Kerala emerged as a significant focus area at IWDC 3.0, with a series of major announcements aimed at strengthening inland water transport and logistics infrastructure in the state. The Jal Vahak cargo promotion scheme is being explored for expansion to other National Waterways, including those in Kerala, offering reimbursement of up to 35% of total operating expenditure incurred on cargo movement through inland waterways.
This scheme is expected to encourage substantial private participation by enabling cargo owners to hire vessels operated by entities other than Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) or Inland and Coastal Shipping Ltd (ICSL). This makes the initiative particularly attractive for major shipping companies, freight forwarders, trade bodies, and operators handling bulk and containerized cargo.
Comprehensive Development Package
The Kerala package also includes:
- Development of modern river cruise jetties
- Induction of one specialized survey vessel
- Strengthening of state capacity for passenger movement
- Enhanced tourism infrastructure
- Improved safe navigation systems
Sustainable Mobility and Economic Opportunity
"With rapid expansion in cargo movement, passenger services, and cruise tourism, our rivers are becoming engines of sustainable mobility and economic opportunity," Minister Sonowal explained. "By integrating clean energy vessels, smart navigation systems, and world-class passenger infrastructure, we are unlocking the full potential of waterways to reduce logistics costs, cut emissions, and create new livelihoods across the country."
Replicating Successful Models
The minister highlighted the success of initiatives such as Kochi Water Metro as a transformative model for urban mobility. "We are committed to replicating this successful model across cities including Guwahati, Varanasi, Patna, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh, ensuring that India's waterways drive inclusive growth on the path to Viksit Bharat," Sonowal added.
Operational Advancements
At IWDC 3.0, it was also announced that Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Services have commenced on commercially viable stretches. This development demonstrates the readiness of waterways as an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable mode of cargo transport, marking a significant step forward in operationalizing India's inland water transport network.
The comprehensive roadmap approved at the meeting represents a strategic shift toward multimodal transport integration, with inland waterways positioned as a critical component of India's logistics ecosystem. The enhanced Centre-state coordination mechanisms established during the meeting are expected to accelerate project implementation and ensure smoother execution of the ambitious expansion plans across various states and union territories.
