Digital portal launched to boost National waterways freight traffic
There has been a record increase of 146 million tonnes in freight traffic on National Waterways. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the digital portal to encourage private investment for development of waterways. The Waterway Cargo Incentive Scheme and the new National Waterways Regulations will boost economic growth.
Goods are imported and exported from other countries through national waterways. Several important steps are being taken to improve the smooth flow of this movement. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has launched a dedicated digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to invite private investment in infrastructure development on national waterways. Earlier, in December 2024, the Carrier Cargo Incentive Scheme was implemented. The scheme aims to incentivise cargo owners to account for 35% of operating expenses.
Reached 145.5 Metric
Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement that from 2014 to 2025, the freight traffic on national waterways has increased from 18.10 MT to 145.5 MT. The CAGR from this traffic has been recorded at 20.86%. In order to expedite the aquifer cargo incentive scheme, cargo services have been introduced on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16. Thereby, 800 million ton-kilometers of cargo can be converted in IWT mode.
Economic development of waterways
The Union Minister said that under the visionary leadership of our Hon'ble Prime Minister, IWAI has transformed inland waterways into a powerful engine of economic growth. This is evident from the increase in cargo movement from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24. The new National Waterways Regulations, 2025, will further accelerate this momentum by encouraging private investment, improving process efficiency, and advancing sustainable, digitally-driven development.
The new rules bring both permanent and temporary terminals existing or new under a unified framework. Permanent terminals can operate for a lifetime, while temporary terminals will have an initial period of five years with provisions for expansion. This streamlined approach aims to encourage private participation and reinforce the Government's commitment to sustainable, growth-driven development in the inland waterways sector.