India’s national waterways have recorded a dramatic increase in usage, with passenger traffic rising from 33.16 lakh in 2019-20 to 1.61 crore in 2023-24, while cargo movement surged from 73.64 million tonnes to 133.03 million tonnes during the same period.
The government highlighted this significant growth in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday while responding to a query from MP Parimal Nathwani.
In a written reply, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal provided the figures, emphasizing the rapid expansion of inland water transport (IWT).
The government has actively enhanced and promoted water-based transport as a sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional road and rail networks, driving this surge in usage.
Expanding Waterways Infrastructure
India currently has 29 operational national waterways (NW), four of which- Narmada River (NW-73), Tapi River (NW-100), Jawai-Luni-Rann of Kutch River (NW-48), and Sabarmati River (NW-87)-are located in Gujarat.
The government has been focusing on infrastructure development, dredging operations, and increasing navigability to support greater utilization of waterways.
To further boost cargo movement, the government has launched several initiatives, including financial incentives for cargo owners.
Sonowal noted that a scheme providing a 35% incentive to encourage the use of IWT has been approved.
This initiative aims to promote cargo transport on NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River system), NW-2 (Brahmaputra River), and NW-16 (Barak River) via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route.
Public Sector Engagement In IWT
The government is also engaging with public sector units (PSUs) to increase their reliance on inland waterways.
To enhance inland water transport, Sonowal announced that the government has actively approached 140 PSUs, encouraging them to shift cargo movement to waterways.
Encouraging bulk cargo transport via waterways can significantly reduce logistics costs and decongest road and rail networks.
The sharp rise in both passenger and cargo traffic underscores the growing importance of inland water transport in India’s overall logistics framework.
The government’s investment in expanding waterway connectivity and providing incentives is actively driving growth in this sector.
With improved infrastructure, strong policy support, and growing awareness among businesses, India’s waterways will significantly reduce transport costs, cut carbon emissions, and enhance overall logistics efficiency in the coming years.
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