पत्तन,पोत परिवहन और जलमार्ग मंत्रालय
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Government of India

IWT Wing is responsible for development, management, implementation of capacity building and institutional strengthening initiatives in the National Waterways (NWs).  The Wing is jointly headed by Advisor(Statistics) and the Joint Secretary, who are supported by two Directors, two Under Secretaries and Sections.

India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks.  Freight transportation by waterways is highly underutilized in the country as compared to developed countries. India's hinterland connectivity is mainly based on road and rail with domestic waterways playing a limited role. Waterways are found to be cost effective as well as an environmentally friendly means of transporting freight.  In India, Inland Water Transport (IWT) has the potential to supplement the over-burdened railways and congested roadways.  In addition to cargo movement, IWT sector also provide a convenient function in related activities such as carriage of vehicles {on Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) mode of cross ferry} and tourism.

The National Waterways Act, 2016 has declared 111 inland waterways as ‘National Waterways’ (NWs) in the country to promote shipping and navigation on them. The total length of NWs is 20,275 km spread across 24 States in the country. 

Government has focused emphasis on development of Inland Waterways as part of an integrated transport network system to realize the untapped potential of waterways. Traffic on Inland Waterways has witnessed exponential growth in CAGR of more than 22% and reached to 145.84 Million Metric tons in the year 2024-25. In compliance to the target set by MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047, the modal share of Freight movement through IWTis aimed at increasing from 2% to 5% & traffic volume to be greater than 200 Million Metric tons by FY 2030 and to reach more than 500 Million Metrictons by 2047. Increase in operational NWs is aimed to 50+ by 2047. Through consistent efforts, IWT has already operationalized 32 NWs that is adding to modal share contribution for carrying passengers and cargoes. Regional connectivity is targeted to increase from 2 neighboring countries currently to 4 by 2047, Operational waterways for River Cruise Tourism from 9 to 34 in the year 2047.

The Inland Vessels Act of 2021 aims to ensure safe, economical, and standardized inland water transport by regulating vessel construction, navigation, registration, crew management, and environmental safeguards. This Act (No. 24 of 2021) was notified on August 12, 2021, and came into force in two phases—Sections 1 and 106 on February 16, 2022, and Sections 2 to 105 and 107 to 114 on June 7, 2022. So far, 11 rules have been formulated under this Act.

List of 111 National Waterways 

Inland Waterways Authority of India

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways constituted on 27th October, 1986 under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.  IWAI is primarily responsible for development, maintenance and regulation of those waterways which have been declared as NWs under National Waterways Act, 2016. The head office of IWAI is at Noida, UP. The policy guidelines and directions issued by IWT Wing are implemented by IWAI.

Key Initiatives undertaken:

The Ministry has introduced a range of transformative initiatives under key categories to modernize inland water transport.

1. Digital Reforms include the Jal Samriddhi portal, launched under the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, to streamline NoC applications and attract private investment in riverine infrastructure. The Jalyan and Navic platforms serve as a centralized registry for vessels and crew, enabling “One Nation–One Registration” through a single-window system. Naudarshika, the National River Traffic and Navigation System, is being developed to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable vessel movement, with real-time data on Least Available Depth (LAD).
2. Cargo Promotion is being driven by the Jalvahak Scheme, which incentivizes vessel operators and introduces Scheduled Services on NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route to boost confidence in cargo movement.
3. Passenger Growth Reforms focus on replicating the Kochi Water Metro model across 18 cities, with feasibility studies underway, while inland waterway tourism is being enhanced through the development of three world-class cruise terminals at Varanasi, Guwahati, and Kolkata. Additionally, 38 river cruise circuits across 17 states have been identified to further promote tourism.

Key Achievements:

1. Record Cargo Movement: Cargo transportation on National Waterways reached an all-time high of 145.84 Million Metric tons in FY 2024–25, marking a 9.63% growth over the previous year.
2. Strategic Push on NW-1: A high-level consultation workshop held in Patna on 16th June 2025 led to State Support Agreements with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, announcement of a Ship Repair Facility in Patna, and formation of a Task Force to identify IWT projects boosting multimodal logistics across key states.
3. Infrastructure Expansion: Development of IWT terminals at key locations across nation is accomplished. In addition, IWAI opened a new office in Srinagar for coordination and monitoring of development in J&K, Punjab, and Ladakh; engaged IPRCL for developing recreational ferry services on Yamuna (NW-110) in Delhi; and notified the Multi-Modal Terminal at Haldia as a Customs Area to facilitate trade.

List of Projects under implementation and investment ready projects is as listed below:-

Central Sector Scheme

Government of India has been making constant effort in developing the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector in the country. The government has been equally keen to develop IWT facility in the North Eastern States. In pursuit of this objective, the Government had introduced a new Central Sector Scheme for development of Inland water Transport in North Eastern Region including Sikkim w.e.f 1st April, 2007, the scheme is ongoing since then. The objective of the scheme is to provide 100% financial assistance to North Eastern states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura& Sikkim for taking up various projects for development of Inland Water Transport in North Eastern region of the Country. The current Capital Outlay of the project is Rs.100 Crores for 5 years i.e. upto FY 2025-26. List of key on-going Projects under CSS are as below:-

Key Initiative of National Waterways 

Guidelines for Central Sector (CS) Scheme for Inland Water Transport (IWT) Sector for the North Eastern States including Sikkim 

Scheme for incentives to promote the utilization of Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) Sector by cargo owners and for establishing Schedule Services for cargo movement on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16 via IBP route– reg 

List of Investment-Ready Projects