Development of National Waterways

To promote Inland Water Transport in the country 111 waterways (including 5 existing and 106 new) have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016 which came into effect from 12th April, 2016.  Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of NWs, 25 NWs have been found viable by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for cargo/ passenger movement.   The list of the 25 NWs is given below.  Developmental activities have been initiated in 13 NWs.

Rs. 96.00 crore has been sanctioned for development of the stretch between Vijayawada to Muktayala in Krishna River of NW-4 in Andhra Pradesh for following works: –

(a)  Establishment of four Floating Pontoons,

(b)  Dredging as per requirement

(c) Land acquisition for construction of 3 Nos. of fixed Ro-Ro terminals at Muktyala, Harichandrapuram and Ibrahimpatnam.

During the last two years i.e. 2019-20 and 2020-21 Rs. 18.87 crore and Rs. 7.66 crore respectively has been allocated to Andhra Pradesh.

Bulk cargo like coal, fly-ash and iron ore are found economical & cost-effective for movement through Inland Water Transport (IWT) which is environment friendly and less pollutant mode of transport than Rail & Road.  The cargo through Inland Ship is transported in barges and there is no direct contact of the cargo with water and therefore no ecological impacts. 

Operation of Ferries is a State subject.  Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) established through IWAI Act, 1985 for the regulation and development of National Waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation has notified (with the prior approval of the Central Govt.)  following regulations for safety considerations-

(i)  Prevention of Collision on National Waterways Regulations, 2002 and

            (ii) National waterway, Safety of Navigation and Shipping Regulations, 2002

Further Government has enacted the Inland Vessels (I.V.) Act, 2021 replacing I.V. Act 1917 for uniformity of rules and regulation for inland navigation in the country covering safety considerations. 

LIST OF 25 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO MOVEMENT

Sl. No.	National Waterway No.	Details of Waterways	STATES	Status
1	National Waterway 1	Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia – Allahabad)	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal	Development taken up with Assistance from World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project
2	National Waterway 2	Brahmaputra River (Dhubri – Sadiya)	Assam	Development taken up as per approved SFC for FY 20-21 to 2024-25
3	National Waterway 16	Barak River	Assam
4	National Waterway 3	West Coast Canal (Kottapuram – Kollam), Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals	Kerala	Mostly Operational Waterways and development and maintenance work taken up.
5	National Waterway 4	Krishna River (Vijayawada – Muktyala)	Andhra Pradesh
6	National Waterway 5	Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal	Odisha
7	National Waterway 8	Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal	Kerala
8	National Waterway 9	Alappuzha-Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal	Kerala Alternate route: 11.5km
9	National Waterway 27	Cumberjua River	Goa
10	National Waterway 68	Mandovi River	Goa
11	National Waterway 86	Rupnarayan River	West Bengal
12	National Waterway 97	Sunderbans Waterway	West Bengal
13	National Waterway 111	Zuari River	Goa
14	National Waterway 10	Amba River	Maharashtra	Projects at appraisal stage
15	National Waterway 40	Ghagra River	Bihar
16	National Waterway 44	Ichamati River	West Bengal
17	National Waterway 52	Kali River	Karnataka
18	National Waterway 57	Kopili River	Assam
19	National Waterway 25	Chapora River	Goa
20	National Waterway 37	Gandak River	Bihar
21	National Waterway 28	Dabhol Creek Vasisti River	Maharashtra	Substantial cargo moves in tidal waters/river mouth under respective State maritime board. No interventions are contemplated by IWAI as of now.
22	National Waterway 73	Narmada River	Maharashtra & Gujarat
23	National Waterway 85	Revadanda Creek – Kundalika River System	Maharashtra
24	National Waterway 94	Sone River	Bihar
25	National Waterway 100	Tapi River	Maharashtra & Gujarat

This information was given by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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