**Executive Summary**
This document presents the answer to Unstarred Question No. 929 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 5, 2025, regarding Inland Waterway Projects. It details the potential for trade, financial details of sanctioned projects, and private sector participation. The document includes annexures listing operational National Waterways and sanctioned projects with their costs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inland Waterways Development:**
* The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has conducted feasibility studies.
* 32 National Waterways (NWs) have been made operational. Details are in Annexure-1.
* **Financial Details:**
* The financial details of sanctioned projects for the development of Inland Waterways Transport Sector are provided in Annexure-2.
* **Private Sector Participation:**
* The private sector is participating in the operation and maintenance of terminals, jetties, and vessels.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the oversight and development of Inland Waterways through the IWAI.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and facilitate the development and operation of National Waterways, as well as overseeing the private sector's participation.
**Stakeholder: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for conducting feasibility studies and overseeing the development of Inland Waterways.
* **Action Required:** Continue conducting feasibility studies and monitoring the operation of National Waterways, ensuring compliance with established guidelines.
**Stakeholder: Private Sector Companies**
* **Impact:** Involved in the operation and maintenance of terminals, jetties, and vessels within the Inland Waterways.
* **Action Required:** Continue to participate in the operation and maintenance of terminals, jetties, and vessels. Ensure adherence to regulations and contribute to the efficient functioning of the Inland Waterways.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterways (NWs): A network of 32 designated waterways identified for development and operation for inland water transport, including rivers and canals.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central ministry responsible for the development and regulation of ports, shipping, and inland waterways in India.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
River Ganga: Referenced in projects like JMVP-I and JMVP-II (Arth Ganga). NW-1 is Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia-Allahabad).
River Brahmaputra: Referenced in the Comprehensive Development of NW-2 project. NW-2 is Brahmaputra River (Dhubri-Sadiya).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 929
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
INLAND WATERWAY PROJECTS
929. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:
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 details of the potential for trade through projects for development of Inland
Waterways in the country;
(b) the financial details of the projects that have been sanctioned; and
(c) whether private companies have participated in the implementation of the said
projects, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organisation under
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has been conducting feasibility studies
and on the basis of feasibility, 32 National Waterways (NWs) have been made
operational. The details of operational NWs are given at Annexure-1.
(b) The financial details of sanctioned projects for development of Inland
Waterways Transport Sector are placed at Annexure-2.
(c) Yes, Sir. The private sector is participating in operation and maintenance of
terminals, jetties and vessels.Annexure -1
Operational National Waterways as on 30.11.2025
Sl.
No. NW No. National Waterway Name
1 NW-1 Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia-Allahabad)
2 NW-2 Brahmaputra River (Dhubri-Sadiya)
3 NW-3 West Coast Canal
4 NW-4 Krishna Godavari River Systems
East Coast Canal and Matai River/Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra
5 NW-5 Rivers/Mahanadi Delta Rivers
6 NW-8 Alappuzha-Changanassery Canal
7 NW-9 Alappuzha-Kottayam-Athirampuzha Canal
8 NW-14 Baitarni River
9 NW-16 Barak River
10 NW-23 Budha Balanga
11 NW-31 Dhansiri/Chathe
12 NW-44 Ichamati River
13 NW-48 Jawai-Luni-Rann Of Kutch River
14 NW-53 (Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai Waterway, Vasai Creek And Ulhas River)
15 NW-64 Mahanadi River
16 NW-86 Rupnarayan River
17 NW-94 Sone River
18 NW-97 Sunderbans Waterway
19 NW-10 Amba River
20 NW-83 Rajpuri Creek
21 NW-85 Revadanda Creek-Kundalika River System
22 NW-91 Shastri River - Jaigad Creek System
23 NW-68 Mandovi River24 NW-111 Zuari River
25 NW-73 Narmada River
26 NW-100 Tapi River
27 NW-27 Cumberjua River
28 NW-47 Jalangi River
29 NW-87 Sabarmati River
30 NW-57 Kopili River
31 NW-110 Yamuna River
32 NW-40 Ghaghra RiverAnnexure-2
Summary of Inland Water Transport Projects/Schemes on National Waterways
(Sanctioned projects):
Sl. Name of Project Sanctioned
No. Amount (INR Cr)
1 JMVP-1 (River Ganga) 4600.58
2 JMVP-II (Arth Ganga) on River Ganga
3 8. Hybrid Electric Catamaran 144
4 Comprehensive Development of NW-2 498.38
(River Brahmaputra)
5 Development of Approach Road from Pandu Port 419.00
Terminal to NH-27 and Ship Repair Facility at Pandu,
Guwahati on NW-2
6 Comprehensive Development of NW-16 134.72
(River Barak)
7 Development of 23 NW's (Phase-1) 266.09
8 CSS in NER States 100.00
9 Other National Waterways (NWs) 242.74
Total 6405.51
*****