**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response regarding National Waterways (NWs) in Maharashtra, as of August 8, 2025. It addresses the status of declared and operational NWs, proposals for new waterways, initiatives to promote cargo transport via inland waterways, and steps to promote industrialization along riverbanks. The information includes details on navigable lengths, cargo movement, and economic activities related to these waterways.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **National Waterways Declaration:**
* Fifteen National Waterways (NWs) in Maharashtra were declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
* The total length of these NWs is 3,089 km, with 1,851.45 km within Maharashtra, distributed across various districts.
* **Operational National Waterways:**
* Five NWs are currently operational in Maharashtra, totaling 304 km.
* Operational NWs include: NW10 (Amba River), NW53 (Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai Waterway, Vasai Creek, and Ulhas River), NW83 (Rajpuri Creek), NW85 (Revdanda Creek and Kundalika River), and NW91 (Shastri River-Jaigad Fort Creek).
* Cargo movement includes coal, iron ore, and cement clinker.
* Passenger movement totaled 27.37 lakh in 2024-25.
* **New Proposals and Upgradation:**
* One proposal was received from the Government of Maharashtra for a pre-feasibility study of the Vidharbha Seaway Canal.
* **Modal Shift Initiatives:**
* The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) promotes modal shift of cargo to Inland Water Transport (IWT).
* Cargo movement on NWs 10, 53, 83, 85, and 91 increased from 28.21 million metric tonnes in 2020-21 to 66.11 million metric tonnes in 2024-25.
* No specific study for Maharashtra has been undertaken.
* **Industrialization and Economic Activity:**
* IWAI is responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
* The Government of Maharashtra's Logistics Policy-2024 includes initiatives to improve coastal logistics and promote port-led industrialization in Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
* The policy envisions integrated logistics hubs, improved coastal connectivity, and enhanced port infrastructure.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Government of Maharashtra:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for economic activity and industrialization along riverbanks, particularly in Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Submitted a proposal for the Vidharbha Seaway Canal.
* *Action Required:* Implement the Maharashtra Logistics Policy-2024 to improve coastal logistics and promote port-led industrialization.
* **Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):**
* *Impact:* Mandated with development and regulation of inland waterways. Promoting modal shift of cargo to IWT.
* *Action Required:* Continue initiatives for modal shift, conduct feasibility studies for new proposals, and oversee the development of waterways.
* **Central and State PSUs:**
* *Impact:* Requested to earmark a percentage of their cargo for transportation using inland waterways.
* *Action Required:* Assess and allocate cargo for transportation via inland waterways.
* **Industries (e.g., Coal, Iron Ore, Cement):**
* *Impact:* Potential beneficiaries of cost-effective transportation via inland waterways.
* *Action Required:* Explore opportunities to utilize inland waterways for cargo transport to reduce logistics costs.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterways Act, 2016: A law under which fifteen National Waterways in Maharashtra were declared.
Maharashtra: A state in India where the national waterways are located and the focus of the policy document.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways, and the issuer of the policy document.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): An autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways.
NW10 River Amba: One of the operational National Waterways in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024: A policy by the Government of Maharashtra to improve coastal logistics and promote port-led industrialization.
Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg: Districts in South Maharashtra that are primary beneficiaries of inland water transport and are targeted for industrialization under the Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3253
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
NATIONAL WATERWAYS IN MAHARASHTRA
3253. SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:
SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:
DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:
SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:
SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:
PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:
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 fifteen National Waterways (NWs) covering a total length of 3,089 km
in Maharashtra were declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016 and if so, the
details thereof including distribution district-wise;
(b) the names and navigable lengths of the six operational National Waterways
along with the nature of cargo/passenger movement being facilitated in Maharashtra;
(c) whether the Government has received any fresh proposals for new waterways
or upgradation of non-operational NWs in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has undertaken any study or initiative to promote
modal shift of cargo transport to inland waterways to reduce logistics costs in
Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof along with the progress made in this regard; and
(e) the steps taken to promote industrialization and economic activity along the
riverbanks in Maharashtra, especially in districts like Raigad, Mumbai and Ratnagiri,
which are stated to be the primary beneficiaries of inland water transport?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Fifteen (15) National Waterways (NWs) in Maharashtra were declared as National
Waterways vide National Waterways Act, 2016. The total length of these NWs is 3089
kilometers (kms), out of which, 1851.45 kms is in Maharashtra. Details of these NWs
in Maharashtra covering various districts are at Annexure.(b) Five (5) NWs are operational in the State of Maharashtra with a total length of
304 km. The operational NWs are NW-10 (River Amba), NW-53 (Kalyan-Thane-
Mumbai Waterway, Vasai Creek and Ulhas River), NW-83 (Rajpuri Creek), NW-85
(Revdanda creek and Kundalika River), and NW-91 (Shastri River-Jaigad Fort creek).
The cargo moved on these NWs includes coal, iron ore, cement clinker etc. Total
passenger movement recorded on these NWs was 27.37 lakh during 2024-25.
(c) One proposal for preparation of pre-feasibility study of Vidharbha Seaway
Canal has been received from the Government of Maharashtra.
(d) The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is taking initiatives for modal shift of
cargo to Inland Water Transport (IWT) mode through regular meetings with
stakeholders including request to Central and State PSUs for earmarking certain
percentage of their cargo for transportation using inland waterways. As a result, the
total cargo movement on the five (5) NWs viz. NW-10, NW-53, NW-83, NW-85 and
NW-91 have increased from 28.21 million metric tonne during 2020-21 to 66.11 million
metric tonne during 2024-25. However, no specific study with respect to the State of
Maharashtra has been undertaken.
(e) IWAI is mandated with the responsibility of development and regulation of
inland waterways for shipping and navigation. The economic activity and
industrialization across river banks comes largely under the domain of respective state
governments. As informed by the Government of Maharashtra, under the Maharashtra
Logistics Policy-2024, the Government has envisaged several initiatives to improve
coastal logistics and promote port-led industrialisation in South Maharashtra,
particularly in the districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The policy envisions
development of integrated logistics hubs, improved coastal connectivity and enhanced
port infrastructure ensure efficient to movement of cargo and promote regional
economic growth.Annexure
Details of National Waterways in Maharashtra:
S. No. NW River Tota Lengt Districts
l Le h in M
ngth ahara
( K shtra (
m) km)
1. NW 4 Godavari (Maharas Nashik, Ahmednagar, Aura
htra, Chhattisgarh 1 2 0 ngabad, Beed, Jalana, Nan
683.6
& 2 ded, Prabhani & Gaddchirol
Telangana) i
2. NW 10 Amba River 45 45 Raigad
3. NW 11 Arunavati – Aran ri Yawatmal, Washim
ver 99 99
system
4. NW 28 Dabhol creek-Vash Ratnagiri
45 45
ishti River
5. NW 53 Kalyan-Thane-Mu Mumbai, Malegaon, Nashik
mbai Waterway, Va
sai 145 145
Creek and Ulhas R
iver
6. NW 72 Nag River 60 60 Nagpur
7. NW 83 Rajpuri creek 31 31 Raigad
8. NW 85 Revdanda creek an Raigad
d 31 31
Kundalika River
9. NW 89 Savitri River and B Raigad
46 46
ankot creek
10. NW 91 Shastri River-Jaiga Ratnagiri
d 52 52
Fort creek
11. NW 100 Tapi River( Gujarat Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar
436 228
& Maharashtra)
12. NW 70 Manjira River 245 108.78 Nanded
13. NW 78 Painganga River- Buldhana, Chandrapur,
261.
Wardha River 197.60 Yawatmal, Washim,
51
Hingoli
14. NW 109 Wainganga River- 165. Chandrapur & Gadchiroli
35
Pranahita River 78
15. NW 73 Narmada ( Gujarat Nandurbar
& 226 44.5
Maharashtra)
Total 3 0 9 1851.4
0 5
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