Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2389, answered on February 13, 2026, concerns inland waterways projects in Kerala. Shri Anto Antony asked the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways about plans to develop new inland waterways projects in Kerala, proposals submitted by the Government of Kerala, proposals received regarding the Chengannur-Aranmula inland waterway, and the status of such proposals. The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, responded that the government has identified new inland waterways projects on National Waterway (NW)-3 in Kerala during the third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC). These projects include the installation of four River Cruise Jetties, deployment of one survey vessel, and a slipway facility at Kochi, Kerala, all at different stages of development. No proposals have been submitted by the Government of Kerala to the Union Government in the last two years. The Union Government has not received any proposal from the Government of Kerala regarding the Chengannur-Aranmula inland waterway.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: State where inland waterways projects are proposed.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: Union ministry responsible for inland waterways development.
National Waterway (NW)-3: Specific waterway in Kerala where projects are being developed.
Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC): Council that discussed and identified new inland waterway projects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2389
ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026
INLAND WATERWAYS PROJECT IN KERALA
2389. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYSbe pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न,पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether the Government proposes to develop any new inland waterways projects
in the State of Kerala, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government of Kerala has submitted any proposals to the Union
Government for new inland waterways projects during the last two years, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the Government
of Kerala regarding the Chengannur–Aranmula inland waterway; and
(d) if so, the details along with the current status of the said proposal?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) The Government has identified the following new inland waterways projects on
National Waterway (NW)-3 in the State of Kerala during the third meeting of the
Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) and they are at different stages of
development:
(i) Installation of four River Cruise Jetties
(ii) Deployment of one survey vessel
(iii) Slipway facility at Kochi, Kerala
(b) to (d) NIL
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