India's Inland Waterways: Record Cargo Movement and Ambitious Growth Plans
Key Ideas
- India achieved a remarkable 145.5 million tonnes of cargo movement on inland waterways in FY 2024–25, showing a significant increase from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14.
- The number of National Waterways in India has expanded from 5 to 111, with the operational length growing substantially from 2,716 km to 4,894 km, indicating a strong focus on enhancing waterway connectivity.
- Massive infrastructure development, including the establishment of Multi-Modal Terminals, Inter-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals, and adoption of green technologies like Hybrid Electric and Hydrogen Vessels, has been observed in the sector.
- India's ambitious goals include increasing the Inland Water Transport (IWT) modal share from 2% to 5% and aiming for traffic volume targets of over 200 million tonnes by 2030 and exceeding 500 million tonnes by 2047 under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision.
India has witnessed a significant surge in cargo movement on its inland waterways, with a record 145.5 million tonnes reported in FY 2024–25, representing a substantial increase from 18.1 million tonnes in FY 2013–14. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways highlighted this achievement, indicating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.86% in this sector. Over the years, the number of National Waterways in India has seen a remarkable rise from 5 to 111, with the operational length expanding from 2,716 km to 4,894 km during the period spanning 2014–15 to 2023–24. This expansion underscores the government's emphasis on enhancing the country's waterway infrastructure and connectivity. The development initiatives include the establishment of various key infrastructural components such as Multi-Modal Terminals, Inter-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals, and the integration of green technologies like Hybrid Electric and Hydrogen Vessels, demonstrating a commitment towards sustainable and efficient transportation solutions. India has set ambitious targets, aiming to increase the Inland Water Transport's modal share from 2% to 5% and targeting traffic volumes surpassing 200 million tonnes by 2030 and exceeding 500 million tonnes by 2047 under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision. This strategic vision aligns with the country's broader economic growth plans and signifies a positive trajectory for India's maritime and inland waterway sector.
Topics
India
Infrastructure Development
Economic Growth
Government Initiative
Water Transport
Cargo Movement
Maritime Strategy
Latest News