India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector has achieved a major milestone with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) reporting a record 145.5 million tonnes of cargo moved during the fiscal year 2024-25.
India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector has achieved a major milestone cargo movement with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) reporting a record of 145.5 million tonnes of cargo moved during the FY 2024-25.
Impressive Cargo Traffic Growth
The sector has grown at a CAGR of 20.86% over the last decade, with a 9.34% rise over the previous year alone. Five bulk commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68% of the cargo moved. Five key commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68% of the total cargo transported on the national waterways during this period. In 2023-24, passenger movement also reached 1.61 crore.
Expansion of National Waterways
Operational National Waterways increased from 5 in 2014 to 29 today, with the navigable length rising from 2,716 km to 4,894 km. Infrastructure investment over the decade touched Rs. 6,434 crore, with key developments including Multi-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals, and navigational locks.
To shift freight from road and rail to waterways, the “Jalvahak” Cargo Promotion Scheme was launched in December 2024 with a Rs. 95.42 crore budget. It provides a 35% reimbursement on operating costs and has introduced scheduled services on major routes such as Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi (NW-1) and Kolkata–Pandu (NW-2).
The 2025 Budget also extended the tonnage tax regime to inland vessels to ease taxation and promote shipping under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021. Additionally, new regulations notified this year enable private participation in jetty and terminal construction.
To boost multimodal integration, key terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, Haldia, and Kalughat are being transferred to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata. Digital platforms like LADIS, RIS, Car-D, PANI, and MIRS are also improving navigation and logistics efficiency.
Cargo hubs like the Freight Village in Varanasi and Integrated Logistics Park at Sahibganj are being developed, with rail connectivity ensured by NHLML and Indian Port and Rail Company Ltd.
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