To encourage private investment and expand the operational network of National Waterways (NWs) for cargo and passenger traffic, the Government has notified the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 to facilitate the construction and operation of terminals by private entities. Further, the Jalvahak Scheme has been launched for providing incentives up to 35% to promote cargo movement on inland waterways. The Government is also encouraging private sector participation through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models duly assigning the O&M of terminals on long concession period.

The Jalyan & Navic portal, a One Nation One Registration single window system developed to serve as a centralized national registry for inland vessels and crew, is fully operational. Eighteen States/UTs have been onboarded on the portal and 9,953 inland vessels and 1,215 crew are registered on this portal as on 30^th July, 2026.

The major challenges in increasing cargo and passenger movement on NWs include limited industrial zone along the NWs; limited availability of suitable inland vessels; inadequate first and last-mile connectivity; limited multimodal logistics infrastructure; low awareness among cargo owners and operators regarding the benefits of Inland Water Transport (IWT). To address these challenges, the Government has undertaken a number of measures which are given at Annexure.

Annexure

Measures taken to address the challenges in increasing cargo and passenger movement on National Waterways:

Development of Multi-Modal Terminals, Inter-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals and cargo aggregation hubs to strengthen multimodal connectivity and facilitate seamless cargo movement.
 

Implementation of the Jalvahak Scheme to incentivise movement of cargo through inland waterways and promote modal shift from road and rail.
 

Notification of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 to facilitate private sector investment in terminal and jetty infrastructure.
 

Development of an enabling ecosystem for deployment of inland vessels by improving fairway conditions and encouraging private participation in vessel operations.
 

Operationalization of additional routes under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) to improve regional connectivity and expand cargo movement.

Development of passenger and cruise infrastructure on suitable National Waterways to promote tourism and regional passenger transport.
 

Engagement with Central Ministries, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings and private stakeholders to promote modal shift of suitable cargo to inland waterways and enhance utilization of the NWs.
 

Development of Multi Modal Logistic Parks (MMLPs) along the NWs.
 

Fairway maintenance through river training works, fairway maintenance, channel marking and hydrographic surveys.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

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MI/Indu

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