The total passenger traffic recorded on National Waterways (NWs) in India was

1.61 Cr. in 2023- 24 and 7.64 Cr in 2024-25.

The cargo movement recorded in NWs and revenue earned during last five years by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) by way of interest on short term deposits, sale of tender forms, over dimension cargo/general cargo movement, berthing/pilotage charges etc. are given below:
 

The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 allows private sector participation in development of jetties/terminals along NWs and promoting infrastructure growth through non-governmental investment. A dedicated online portal named “Jalsamriddhi” has been put in place, where stakeholders can apply for “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) for construction of terminals on or along NWs by private agencies, enabling faster infrastructure expansion without Government funding.

The details of state-wise operational NWs are given in Annexure-1.

IWAI has identified and conducted survey of the following 5 river cruise tourism circuits on NW-64 (River Mahanadi)

(i) Subarnameru(Subranpur)-Shiva Mandir (Bargarh)

1. 2. Singanatha Temple(Cuttack)- Badamba (Cuttack)

(iii) Bankimacharchiga(Cuttack)- Trutladevi Temple

(iv) Jobra-Shree Shree Dableswara Temple

1. 5. Kantilo-Maa Bhattarika Shaktipeeth

To promote inland water transport sector, Jalvahak scheme has been launched by the Government. The main features of the scheme are as under:

It has a provision of Rs. 95.42 Cr for a period of 3 years from FY 2024-25 to FY 2026-27.

Provide financial incentives directly to the cargo owners to the extent of 35% of the total actual operating expenditure incurred on waterways journey.

Launch of Scheduled Services by Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL) for promotion of IWT, by providing funds to ICSL for the IWT vessel operated by ICSL on (i) Kolkata-Patna/Varanasi route (ii) Kolkata-Guwahati – via IBP route and (iii) Kolkata – Karimganj/Badarpur via IBP route.

Scheme is applicable on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16 only for long haul movement of greater than 200 Kms.
 

For safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo and prevention of pollution caused by use of navigation of inland vessels, a Legal & Regulatory Framework on NWs has been provided in the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 which is a unified national regulatory framework for inland vessels plying in inland waters of India. Further, navigational safety and relevant assistance is provided to vessels with navigational marks. River Pilots are provided on the cargo vessels for safe navigation.

Annexure-1

Operational National Waterways as on 30.11.2025