**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 2199 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 12, 2025, regarding the status of cargo movement on National Waterways (NWs). It provides updates on the development, cargo movement statistics, and challenges related to National Waterway 1 (Ganga) and National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra). The response is provided by the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Operational Waterways:**
* National Waterway-1 (NW-1) and NW-2 are operational with required depth and width.
* **Infrastructure Development:**
* *NW-1*: 3 Multimodal Terminals (MMTs) at Haldia, Sahibganj, and Varanasi, 1 Intermodal terminal (IMT) at Kalughat,1 Navigational Lock at Farakka and 53 community jetties are developed.
* *NW-2*: 2 Multimodal terminals at Pandu and Jogighopa, 2 permanent terminals at Dhubri and Bogibeel and 13 floating terminals have been developed.
* Construction of one intermodal terminal at Kalughat has been completed. 7 jetties are progressing.
* **Cargo Movement:**
* Inland Water Transport's (IWT) share is approximately 2% of the total cargo.
* Cargo movement (in MMT):
* 2022-23: 126.15
* 2023-24: 133.03
* 2024-25: 145.84
* **Fairway Maintenance:**
* *NW-1*: Contracts to provide fairway on 10 stretches of NW-1 have been awarded to maintain 2.2/3 m Least Available Depth (LAD) and 45 m bottom width from Haldia to Varanasi.
* *NW-2*: LAD from Bangladesh Border to Pandu (Guwahati) is maintained through assured depth Contract and Pandu to Sadiya is maintained through 7 departmental dredgers.
* **Challenges in Promoting IWT:**
* Discharge in Rivers: Highly seasonal, significant variations between monsoon and dry seasons, 16 NWs originate in Himalayas, Upstream Dams / Barrages & Irrigation Projects without Navigational Locks.
* Non-Availability of Cargo on the return leg along Waterway due to Low industrialization.
* Higher total cost due to first & last mile connectivity.
* Low private sector participation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)**
* **Impact**: IWAI is responsible for the development and maintenance of infrastructure on NW-1 and NW-2 under the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
* **Action Required**: Continue development and maintenance work.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways**
* **Impact**: The ministry is responsible for the overall development of ports, shipping, and waterways, and its progress is being monitored.
* **Action Required**: Monitor progress, address challenges, and formulate policies to promote inland water transport.
**Stakeholder: Private Sector Participants**
* **Impact**: The document highlights the need for increased private sector involvement in inland water transport.
* **Action Required**: Assess opportunities for investment and participation in vessel and terminal operations.
**Stakeholder: Users of National Waterways (Shipping Companies, Cargo Owners)**
* **Impact**: The operational status of NW-1 and NW-2 impacts the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cargo transport.
* **Action Required**: Utilize the available infrastructure and report any issues or suggestions for improvement.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary government body responsible for the development and regulation of ports, shipping, and waterways in India, and the subject of the parliamentary question.
National Waterway 1 (Ganga): One of the key national waterways in India, specifically the Ganga river, which is being developed for shipping and navigation.
National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra): Another key national waterway in India, specifically the Brahmaputra river, which is being developed for shipping and navigation.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Autonomous organization under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways responsible for development and regulation of inland waterways.
Jal Marg Vikas Project: Project focused on the development of waterways; under which 53 community jetties have been developed at Farakka and other locations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2199
ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025
CARGO MOVEMENT ON NATIONAL WATERWAYS
2199. SMT. SHAMBHAVI:
SHRI RAJESH VERMA:
SHRI ATUL GARG:
DR. LATA WANKHEDE:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) the current status of the development of National Waterway 1 (Ganga) and
National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) for shipping and navigation;
(b) the total cargo movement (in MMT) on all National Waterways during the last
three years along with its percentage of India's total freight, year-wise;
(c) the number of multimodal terminals and jetties that are operational and under
construction on the said waterways;
(d) the steps being taken to ensure navigational depth (fairway) throughout the year,
including dredging operations; and
(e) the challenges faced in promoting inland water transport, such as lack of private
sector participation, higher costs and competition from road/rail?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) National Waterway-1 (NW-1) and NW-2 are operational with required depth and
width for movement of inland vessels. On NW-1, 3 multimodal terminals (MMTs) at Haldia,
Sahibganj and Varanasi, 1 Intermodal terminal (IMT) at Kalughat,1 Navigational Lock at
Farakka and 53 community jetties have been developed under Jal Marg Vikas Project by
Inland Waterways Authority of India (WAI), an autonomous organisation under Ministry of
Ports, Shipping & Waterways. On NW-2, 2 Multimodal terminals at Panduand Jogighopa,2 permanent terminals at Dhubri and Bogibeel and 13 floating terminals have been
developed.
(b) Details of the total cargo movement on all NWs is given below. The Inland Water
Transport’s (IWT) share is approximately 2% of the total cargo.
Year Cargo movement ( in MMT)
2022-23 126.15
2023-24 133.03
2024- 25 145.84
(c) On NW-1, 3 MMTs have been constructed at Haldia, Sahibganj and Varanasi and
are operational. Construction of one intermodal terminal at Kalughat has been completed.
In addition, 53 community jetties developed on NW-1 are operational and construction of
7 jetties is progressing. On NW-2, 2 MMTs at Pandu and Jogighopa, 2 permanent
terminals at Dhubri and Bogibeel and 13 floating jetties are operational.
(d) To maintain fairway from Haldia to Varanasi stretch of NW-1 with 2.2/3 m Least
Available Depth (LAD) and 45 m bottom width, the contracts to provide fairway on 10
stretches of NW-1 have been awarded. On NW-2, the LAD from Bangladesh Border to
Pandu (Guwahati) is maintained through assured depth Contract and Pandu to Sadiya is
maintained through 7 departmental dredgers and other conventional river training works
such as Bandalling.
(e) Challenges faced in promoting IWT are given below:
(i) Discharge in Rivers
Highly Seasonal with significant variations between monsoon and dry
seasons. – upto 10 m vertical variation
16 NWs have their origin in Himalayas; Rest are either rain fed or tidal.
Upstream Dams / Barrages & Irrigation Projects without Navigational Locks.
(ii) Non- Availability of Cargo on the return leg along Waterway – Low
industrialization along Waterways
(iii) Higher total cost due to first & last mile connectivity
(iv) Low private sector participation specially in vessels & terminal operations.
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