India’s inland waterways sector has reached a historic milestone, transporting 145.84 million metric tonnes of cargo in FY 2024-25, positioning it among Asia’s most commercially active systems. Passenger traffic surged to 76 million journeys, driven by new services and urban demand. Ongoing investments and infrastructure improvements promise continued growth.
The 2026 Union Budget aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, enhancing India’s inland waterways for sustainability and reduced logistics costs. The operationalization of 20 new National Waterways, especially NW-5 in Odisha, aims to connect resource-rich areas to ports, promoting maritime freight from 6% to 12% by 2047.
On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2026-27 Union Budget, highlighting significant advancements in the maritime sector. Key initiatives include establishing new freight corridors, operationalizing 20 waterways, and promoting indigenous seaplane manufacturing to enhance connectivity and boost tourism, while fostering environmentally sustainable cargo transportation.
India’s maritime sector has seen remarkable growth in the last decade, particularly in ports, coastal shipping, and inland waterways. This aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030, enhancing infrastructure and economic development. The surge in cargo capacities and efficient transport highlights India’s strategic focus on maritime trade, boosting global competitiveness.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a transformative initiative for Bihar’s inland waterways at the Consultative Workshop in Patna. Plans include a Water Metro to enhance urban mobility, a Ship Repair Facility, and upgraded navigation infrastructure. These efforts aim to revitalize the Ganga as a sustainable transport route, boosting trade and logistics in the region.
By 2047, India aims to quadruple its port capacity to handle 10,000 million tons of cargo annually. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the importance of international partnerships in enhancing maritime infrastructure, including a collaboration with Norway’s Kongsberg to build India’s first Polar Research Vessel, aligning with the Maritime India Vision 2047.
The Inland Waterways Development Council in India, led by the IWAI, announced plans to invest over Rs 50,000 crore in infrastructure along national waterways. Initiatives worth Rs 1400 crore were revealed across 21 states, focusing on community development and transport enhancement. The council aims to boost economic growth through efficient use of inland water bodies.
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