Record Cargo Movements and Infrastructure Growth in India's Inland Waterways: Government
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Synopsis
The government's initiatives in India's inland waterways have led to record cargo movements and expanded infrastructure, with ambitious targets set for the future.
Key Takeaways
- Record cargo movement of 145.5 million tonnes reported.
- Operational national waterways increased from 24 to 29.
- CAGR of 20.86% for cargo traffic from FY-14 to FY-25.
- Targets set for 200 million tonnes by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047.
- Expansion of operational length of NWs from 2,716 km to 4,894 km.
New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) The government announced on Thursday that India's dedicated initiatives in enhancing its inland waterways have led to remarkable outcomes, showcasing record cargo movements and improved infrastructure.
The synthesis of strategic funding, policy measures, and technological advancements positions India to further develop its inland water transport (IWT) sector, significantly aiding in sustainable transport and economic growth.
“A sustained emphasis on these domains will be vital for realizing the ambitious goals established for the upcoming decades,” stated the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
In a notable milestone for India's IWT sector, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) disclosed a historic cargo movement of 145.5 million tonnes for the fiscal year 2024–25.
The count of operational national waterways has surged from 24 to 29 during this timeframe, highlighting a strategic drive towards multimodal connectivity and sustainable transport solutions.
Cargo traffic on National Waterways escalated from 18.10 million metric tonnes (MMT) to 145.5 MMT between FY-14 and FY-25, achieving a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.86 percent, as per ministry data.
In FY-25, the traffic movement exhibited a year-on-year growth of 9.34 percent from FY-24. Five key commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68 percent of the total cargo transported on NWs during this period. Additionally, passenger movement reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24.
The government has set ambitious targets for cargo movement via inland waterways.
The IWAI aims to elevate the modal share of freight movement through IWT from 2 percent to 5 percent and traffic volume to over 200 million metric tonnes (MMT) in accordance with the ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ and over 500 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2047 as outlined in the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The operational length of NWs expanded from 2,716 km (2014-15) to 4,894 km (2023-24). Major initiatives include fairway maintenance, community jetties, floating terminals, Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), Inter-Modal Terminals (IMTs), and navigational locks, as reported by the ministry.
