**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' response to a parliamentary question (No. 985) regarding the development of inland waterways in Maharashtra. As of December 5, 2025, the government has identified 14 National Waterways (NWs) in Maharashtra. Feasibility reports have been prepared, and an action plan for the development of 7 feasible NWs has been shared with the Government of Maharashtra.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Identification of National Waterways:**
* There are 14 declared National Waterways (NWs) in the State of Maharashtra, part of a larger network of 111 NWs across the country.
* **Feasibility and Action Plan:**
* The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has prepared feasibility reports for all 14 NWs in Maharashtra.
* 7 NWs with a navigable length of 662.97 km have been identified as feasible for development.
* An action plan for these 7 NWs has been shared with the Government of Maharashtra.
* Details of the 7 feasible NWs, their total length, and navigable length are listed in Annexure-1.
* **Inland Water Transport Cargo:**
* In Maharashtra, NW-10, NW-53, NW-83, NW-85, NW-89, and NW-91 handled 45.35% of the total Inland Water Transport cargo across the country in 2024-25.
* IWAI is providing assistance to cargo operators as needed.
* **Details of feasible waterways (From Annexure-1):**
* NW-4 (River Godavari): Total Length - 1201.60 km, Navigable Length - 82 km
* NW-11 (Arunavati-Aran): Total Length - 98.9 km, Navigable Length - 18 km
* NW-28 (Dabhol Creek-Vashishti River): Total Length - 45.228 km, Navigable Length - 19 km
* NW-53 (Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai Waterway Vasai Creek & Ulhas River): Total Length - 144.64 km, Navigable Length - 68 km
* NW-85 (Revadanda Creek & Kundalika River): Total Length - 30.73 km, Navigable Length - 30.73 km
* NW-100 (River Tapi): Total Length - 436.24 km, Navigable Length - 436.24 km
* NW-109 (River Waingaganga Pranahita): Total Length - 165.78 km, Navigable Length - 9 km
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** The Government of Maharashtra is directly impacted by the development plans for inland waterways in the state.
* **Action Required:** The Government of Maharashtra needs to review and potentially implement the action plan shared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for the development of the 7 feasible NWs.
**Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)**
* **Impact:** IWAI is the key organisation tasked with developing and maintaining inland waterways.
* **Action Required:** Continue providing assistance to cargo operators and oversee the implementation of the action plan for developing the 7 feasible NWs in Maharashtra.
**Cargo Operators**
* **Impact:** Cargo operators using inland waterways in Maharashtra will be affected by improvements and developments in the waterway infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Engage with IWAI to communicate requirements and leverage the available assistance to optimize cargo operations on the NWs.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterways Programme: A government program focused on the development of waterways. This question pertains to the identification and development of waterways in Maharashtra under this program.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways in India. It prepared the feasibility report for the waterways in the State.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The ministry responsible for the development of inland waterways and related infrastructure.
Maharashtra: The Indian state where inland waterways development is being discussed.
National Waterways (NWs): Specifically referenced declared waterways in the State of Maharashtra, of which 14 exist, with 7 identified for development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 985
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF INLAND WATERWAYS IN MAHARASHTRA
985. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
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) whether the Government has identified any rivers or waterways in the State of
Maharashtra for development under the National Waterways Programme;
(b) if so, the details thereof including their length, navigability and current status of
development;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any feasibility studies on the economic
viability and environmental sustainability of these waterways, if so, the findings thereof;
and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to promote cargo and passenger movement
through inland waterways in Maharashtra?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) There are 14 declared National Waterways (NWs) in the State of Maharashtra
among 111 declared NWs throughout the country. Inland Waterways Authority of India
(IWAI), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways, has prepared the feasibility report of all the 14 NWs in the State. The
feasible 7 NWs with navigable length of 662.97 km have been identified for
development and the action plan for the same has been shared with Government of
Maharashtra. The details of the 7 NWs, total and navigable length are at Annexure-
1.
(d) In the State of Maharashtra NW-10 (Amba River), NW-53 (River Kalyan-Thane
Mumbai Waterways, Vasai Creek & Ulhas River), NW-83 (Rajpuri Creek), NW-85
(Revadanda-Kundalika River), NW-89 (Savitri River-Bankot Creek) and NW-91 (River
Shastri-Jaigad Creek) handled 45.35% of the total Inland Water Transport cargo
across the country in 2024-25. IWAI is providing assistance to cargo operators on
requirement.Annexure-1
Sl. Details Total Length Navigable
No. (in km) length
(in km)
1. NW-4 (River Godavari) 1201.60 82
2. NW-11 (Arunavati-Aran) 98.9 18
3. NW-28 (Dabhol Creek-Vashishti River) 45.228 19
4. NW-53 (Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai 144.64 68
Waterway Vasai Creek & Ulhas River)
5. NW-85 (Revadanda Creek & Kundalika 30.73 30.73
River)
6. NW-100 (River Tapi) 436.24 436.24
7. NW-109 (River Waingaganga Pranahita) 165.78 9
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