Executive Summary:
This document is the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding National Waterways (NWs) in Kerala. It provides details on the length, operational status, developmental works, and improvements to multimodal connectivity concerning these waterways. The information covers the period up to August 1, 2025, and includes data on passenger and cargo traffic over the previous three years.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Waterways in Kerala:
* There are 5 National Waterways (NWs) in Kerala, totaling 465.89 km: NW3, NW8, NW9, NW13, and NW59.
* NW3, NW8, and NW9 are currently operational.
Passenger and Cargo Traffic:
* Passenger and cargo traffic for the last three years:
* 2022-23: 95,79,806 passengers, 32.07 Lakh Tonnes cargo
* 2023-24: 1,10,78,569 passengers, 33.25 Lakh Tonnes cargo
* 2024-25: 1,12,76,234 passengers, 35.59 Lakh Tonnes cargo
Developmental Works:
* Developmental works, including dredging, terminal development, and night navigation facilities, are ongoing. Details are in Annexure I.
* Nine terminals have been constructed in NW3.
* RoRo service is provided between Willingdon Island and Bolghatty Island.
* IWAI funded the modernization of the Navigation lock at Thrikunnapuzha and the construction of the Kovilthottam foot over bridge through the Government of Kerala.
* Bank protection works are undertaken at vulnerable locations.
* Physical and financial progress of development works are outlined in Annexure I.
Government Requests and Actions:
* The Government of Kerala requested the declaration of Kovalam to Kollam and Kozhikode to Bekal stretches as NWs.
* The NW3 stretch has been extended from Kottapuram to Kozhikode.
* The remaining stretches from Bekal to Kozhikode and Kollam to Kovalam were not considered for declaration as National Waterway based on studies by the National Transport Planning Research Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
Challenges and Resolutions:
* Issues include the non-availability of dumping grounds for dredged material and the removal of fishing nets.
* These issues are regularly addressed with the Government of Kerala.
Multimodal Connectivity and Eco-Friendly Transport:
* Steps are being taken to improve multimodal connectivity and promote eco-friendly water transport systems. Details are in Annexure II.
* Fairway maintenance works, river training, maintenance dredging, channel marking, and regular hydrographic surveys are conducted to maintain navigation channels.
* Various terminals and jetties have been constructed on NWs across India, including Kerala.
Impact Analysis:
Government of Kerala:
* Impact: The state government is impacted by decisions regarding the declaration and development of National Waterways within its territory. The state is also responsible for addressing issues related to dredging and fishing nets.
* Action Required: Address the issues of dumping grounds for dredged material and the removal of fishing nets. Coordinate with IWAI for ongoing and future waterway development projects.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
* Impact: IWAI is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of National Waterways, including those in Kerala.
* Action Required: Continue undertaking fairway maintenance, constructing and maintaining terminals and jetties, and coordinating with the Government of Kerala to resolve operational challenges.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways:
* Impact: The ministry is responsible for overseeing the development of National Waterways and addressing concerns raised in Parliament.
* Action Required: Monitor the progress of developmental works, address issues raised by the State Government, and ensure the effective implementation of waterway development projects.
Citizens and Businesses Using Waterways:
* Impact: Improved waterways will enhance transportation options, potentially reducing costs and travel times.
* Action Required: Utilize the improved infrastructure for passenger and cargo transport, contributing to the economic growth of the region.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterways (NWs) in Kerala: Refers to the network of inland waterways located within the State of Kerala, India, being developed for transportation and navigation.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Union Government ministry responsible for the development and regulation of ports, shipping, and waterways in India.
Sarbananda Sonowal: The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
West Coast Canal: A significant waterway in Kerala, part of National Waterway 3, including Champakkara and Udyogmandal Canal.
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.
Jal Marg Vikas Project: A project focused on enhancing the navigation capabilities of National Waterway 1, the Ganga River, from Varanasi to Haldia.
Kozhikode, Kerala: A city in Kerala that forms the northern end of a feasible stretch of National Waterway 3.
Kollam, Kerala: A city in Kerala that forms the southern end of a feasible stretch of National Waterway 3.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2137
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
NATIONAL WATERWAYS IN KERALA
2137. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) the total length and number of notified National Waterways (NWs) in the State
of Kerala;
(b) the current operational status of each of these waterways, including passenger
and cargo traffic handled during the last three years;
(c) the details of developmental works undertaken on these waterways—such as
dredging, terminal development, night navigation facilities and modernization projects
in the State along with their physical and financial progress;
(d) the action taken by the Union Government in this regard based on the requests
from the Member of Parliament and the State Government;
(e) whether there are any delays or bottlenecks in implementation of such works
due to environmental clearance, land acquisition or coordination with the State
Government and if so, the measures taken to resolve them; and
(f) the steps being taken to improve multimodal connectivity and promote eco-
friendly and cost-effective water transport systems under the Sagarmala or Jal Marg
Vikas Project in Kerala?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) There are5 National Waterways (NWs) in the State of Kerala as detailed below
and the total length of these 5 NWs is 465 .89 km:-
i. NW-3 (West Coast Canal including Champakkara and Udyogmandal Canal).
ii. NW-8 (Alappuzha – Changanassery Canal ).
iii.NW-9 (Alapphuzha – Kottayam Canal ).iv. NW-13 (AVM Canal ).
v. NW-59 (Vechoor – Athirampuzha Canal ).
(b)& (c)Three NWs namely NW-3, NW-8 and NW-9 are operational and the details of
passenger/cargo movement during the last three years is as under:
Year Passenger Cargo (Lakh Tonne)
2022-23 95,79,806 32.07
2023-24 1,10,78,569 33.25
2024-25 1,12,76,234 35.59
Details of developmental works undertaken on these waterways with Physical &
Financial progress is given in the Annexure-I.
(d) Government of Kerala requested the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
for initiating steps to declare the Kovalam to Kollam and Kozhikode to Bekal stretches
of West Coast Canal as appropriate class (Class-I/Class-III) of NW according to the
standards available.NW-3 stretch from Kottapuram to Kozhikode in Kerala vide
National Waterways Act, 2016 has already been extended. Thus, NW-3 covers a total
feasible stretch from Kozhikode in the north to Kollam in the south, out of entire
waterway stretch from Bekal to Kovalam. The remaining stretch from Bekal to
Kozhikode in north and Kollam to Kovalam in south could not be considered for
declaration as National Waterway as per findings of the studies completed by National
Transport Planning & Research Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
(e) There are issues pertaining to non availability of dumping grounds for dredged
material required for fairway development and removal of fishing nets from the
navigation channel earmarked by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an
autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, which are
regularly taken up with the Government of Kerala for resolution.
(f) Details of steps taken by IWAI to improve multimodal connectivity and promote
eco-friendly and cost effective water transport system in the country including Kerala
are given in the Annexure-II. Jal Marg Vikas Project is for augmentation of navigation
capability of NW-1 (Ganga River) from Varanasi to Haldia.ANNEXURE-I
Details of developmental works undertaken on these waterways with Physical
& Financial progress
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry
of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has constructed nine (9) terminals in NW-3 and has
provided Ro-Ro service between Willingdon Island and Bolghatty Island. Additionally,
IWAI funded the work for modernization of Navigation lock at Thrikunnapuzha and the
construction of Kovilthottam foot over bridge through Government of Kerala on deposit
basis. IWAI also undertakes bank protection works in NWs in Kerala at vulnerable
locations. The status of various ongoing activities is as follows:
S.N. Name of Development work Physical Financial
Progress Progress
1. Fairway Development Works (carried out annually) 15 % 11.78%
2. Operation & Maintenance of Terminals (carried out 25% 17.50%
annually)
3. Modernization of Thrikunnapuzha Lock Gate 41% 100%
4. Reconstruction of Kovilthottam Foot over Bridge (50 78% 50%
: 50 share of IWAI and the Government of Kerala)ANNEXURE-II
Details of steps taken by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an
autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to
improve multimodal connectivity and promote eco-friendly and cost effective
water transport system
(i) Fairway maintenance works (river training, maintenance dredging, channel
marking and regular hydrographic surveys) are taken up in various National
Waterways (NWs) for providing a navigation channel of 35/45 m width and 2.0 / 2.2 /
2.5 / 3.0 m least available depth (LAD) for operation of vessels.
(ii) 53 community jetties, 20 floating terminals, 3 Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs) and 1
Inter-Modal Terminal (IMT) have been constructed on NW-1 (River Ganga) in addition
to 5 pre-existing permanent terminals.
(iii) 13 floating terminals provided on NW-2 (River Brahmaputra) along with MMTs at
Pandu, Jogighopa and terminals at Bogibeel and Dhubri. Four dedicated Jetties for
cruise vessels have been provided at Jogighopa, Pandu, Biswanath Ghat and
Neamati. In addition to this, Jetties for cruise and passengers have been constructed
at Sadiya, Lyka and Orium Ghat in Assam.
(iv) 9 Permanent Inland Water Transport terminals with godowns and 2 Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax
terminals have been constructed on NW-3 (West Coast Canal in Kerala).
(v) 04 floating concrete jetties were provided to Govt. of Goa and installed in Mandovi
River (NW-68).
(vi) 04 Tourist Jetties on NW-4 (River Krishna) in Andhra Pradesh have been
commissioned and 12 Nos. floating jetties on NW-110 (River Yamuna) in Mathura-
Vrindavan stretch in Uttar Pradesh, 2 Jetties on NW-73 (River Narmada) & 2 Jetties
on NW-37 (River Gandak) in Bihar are under execution.
(vii) A new Navigation Lock at Farakka and 2 Nos. Quick Pontoon Opening
Mechanisms (QPOMs) have been constructed on NW-1 to facilitate smooth & faster
movement of vessels.
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