**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2380, answered on February 13, 2026, regarding the development of the National Waterway (NW)-8 in Kerala. The response addresses the approval, status, funding, progress, and future steps for the Alappuzha-Changanassery stretch of the waterway. The minister stated the waterway is currently operational, with ongoing maintenance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Approval and Designation:**
* The Alappuzha-Changanassery stretch has been declared National Waterway (NW)-8 under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
* **Operational Status:**
* The waterway is currently operational.
* Necessary aids to navigation and fairway development works have been undertaken for the safe movement of vessels.
* Operation and maintenance work is an ongoing process.
* **Funding:**
* Funds have been sanctioned, released, and utilized since the project's approval.
* A breakdown of funds sanctioned, released and utilised from 2019-2020 to 2025-2026 is provided in INR crore.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Stakeholders:**
* Residents of Kuttanad and adjoining areas in the State of Kerala
* Tourism sector
* Inland Transport
* Regional economy
* **Impact:**
* Benefit to Inland Transport, Tourism, and regional economic development.
* **Action Required:**
* No immediate action required based on this document.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
National Waterways Act, 2016: A law governing the declaration and management of National Waterways in India.
National Waterway (NW)-8: Alappuzha -Chaganasserry stretch, declared as a National Waterway under the National Waterways Act, 2016
Kerala: Indian state where the National Waterway development project is located
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2380
ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026
NATIONAL WATERWAY DEVELOPMENT IN KERALA
2380. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:
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 has approved the development of the Alappuzha-
Changanassery stretch as part of the National Waterway network in Kerala and if so,
the present status of the project;
(b) the total funds sanctioned, released and utilised so far for the said project, since
its approval, year-wise;
(c) the physical progress achieved, including dredging, bank protection, navigation
facilities, terminals and related infrastructure till date;
(d) the reasons including land acquisition, environmental clearance or technical
constraints responsible for the delay in implementation of the said projects;
(e) whether the Government proposes to fix a definite timeline for completion of the
said project and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the steps being taken to ensure the early completion of the Alappuzha–
ChanganasseryNational Waterway considering its importance for inland transport,
tourism and regional economic development of Kuttanad and adjoining areas in the
State of Kerala?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (f) Alappuzha -Chaganasserry stretch was declared as National Waterway
(NW)-8 under the National Waterways Act, 2016. Necessary Aids to navigation and
fairway development works has been undertaken for safe movement of vessels. This
waterway is operational. Operation & maintenance work is an ongoing process to
keep the NW operational. Funds sanctioned, released and utilised so far for the said
project, since its approval, year-wise are as under:Financial Year Funds Sanctioned Funds realeased& utilized
(INR cr.) (INR cr.)
2019-20 0.24 0.24
2020-21 0.04 0.04
2021-22 0.04 0.04
2022-23 0.04 0.04
2023-24 0.05 0.04
2024-25 0.87 0.75
2025-26 0.85 0.78
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