To promote Inland Water Transport in the country 111 waterways (including 5 existing and 106 new) have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016 which came into effect from 12th April, 2016.  Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of NWs, 25 NWs have been found viable by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for cargo/ passenger movement.   The list of the 25 NWs is given below.  Developmental activities have been initiated in 13 NWs.

Rs. 96.00 crore has been sanctioned for development of the stretch between Vijayawada to Muktayala in Krishna River of NW-4 in Andhra Pradesh for following works: -

(a)  Establishment of four Floating Pontoons,

(b)  Dredging as per requirement

(c) Land acquisition for construction of 3 Nos. of fixed Ro-Ro terminals at Muktyala, Harichandrapuram and Ibrahimpatnam.

During the last two years i.e. 2019-20 and 2020-21 Rs. 18.87 crore and Rs. 7.66 crore respectively has been allocated to Andhra Pradesh.

Bulk cargo like coal, fly-ash and iron ore are found economical & cost-effective for movement through Inland Water Transport (IWT) which is environment friendly and less pollutant mode of transport than Rail & Road.  The cargo through Inland Ship is transported in barges and there is no direct contact of the cargo with water and therefore no ecological impacts. 

Operation of Ferries is a State subject.  Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) established through IWAI Act, 1985 for the regulation and development of National Waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation has notified (with the prior approval of the Central Govt.)  following regulations for safety considerations-

            (i)  Prevention of Collision on National Waterways Regulations, 2002 and

            (ii) National waterway, Safety of Navigation and Shipping Regulations, 2002       

Further Government has enacted the Inland Vessels (I.V.) Act, 2021 replacing I.V. Act 1917 for uniformity of rules and regulation for inland navigation in the country covering safety considerations.             

LIST OF 25 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO MOVEMENT

Sl. No.

National Waterway No.

Details of Waterways

STATES

Status

1

National Waterway 1

Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia - Allahabad)

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal

Development taken up with Assistance from World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project

2

National Waterway 2

Brahmaputra River (Dhubri - Sadiya)

Assam

Development taken up as per approved SFC for FY 20-21 to 2024-25

3

National Waterway 16

Barak River

Assam

4

National Waterway 3

West Coast Canal (Kottapuram - Kollam), Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals

Kerala

Mostly Operational Waterways and development and maintenance work taken up.

5

National Waterway 4

Krishna River (Vijayawada – Muktyala)

Andhra Pradesh

6

National Waterway 5

Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal

Odisha

7

National Waterway 8

Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal

Kerala

8

National Waterway 9

Alappuzha-Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal

Kerala
Alternate route: 11.5km

9

National Waterway 27

Cumberjua River

Goa

10

National Waterway 68

Mandovi River

Goa

11

National Waterway 86

Rupnarayan River

West Bengal

12

National Waterway 97

Sunderbans Waterway

West Bengal

13

National Waterway 111

Zuari River

Goa

14

National Waterway 10

Amba River

Maharashtra

Projects at appraisal

stage

15

National Waterway 40

Ghagra River

Bihar

16

National Waterway 44

Ichamati River

West Bengal

17

National Waterway 52

Kali River

Karnataka

18

National Waterway 57

Kopili River

Assam

19

National Waterway 25

Chapora River

Goa

20

National Waterway 37

Gandak River

Bihar

21

National Waterway 28

Dabhol Creek Vasisti River

Maharashtra

Substantial cargo moves in tidal waters/river mouth under respective State maritime board. No interventions are contemplated by IWAI as of now.

22

National Waterway 73

Narmada River

Maharashtra & Gujarat

23

National Waterway 85

Revadanda Creek - Kundalika River System

Maharashtra

24

National Waterway 94

Sone River

Bihar

25

National Waterway 100

Tapi River

Maharashtra & Gujarat

This information was given by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

****

        MJPS/MS/jk

To promote Inland Water Transport in the country 111 waterways (including 5 existing and 106 new) have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016 which came into effect from 12th April, 2016.  Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of NWs, 25 NWs have been found viable by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for cargo/ passenger movement.   The list of the 25 NWs is given below.  Developmental activities have been initiated in 13 NWs.

Rs. 96.00 crore has been sanctioned for development of the stretch between Vijayawada to Muktayala in Krishna River of NW-4 in Andhra Pradesh for following works: -

(a)  Establishment of four Floating Pontoons,

(b)  Dredging as per requirement

(c) Land acquisition for construction of 3 Nos. of fixed Ro-Ro terminals at Muktyala, Harichandrapuram and Ibrahimpatnam.

During the last two years i.e. 2019-20 and 2020-21 Rs. 18.87 crore and Rs. 7.66 crore respectively has been allocated to Andhra Pradesh.

Bulk cargo like coal, fly-ash and iron ore are found economical & cost-effective for movement through Inland Water Transport (IWT) which is environment friendly and less pollutant mode of transport than Rail & Road.  The cargo through Inland Ship is transported in barges and there is no direct contact of the cargo with water and therefore no ecological impacts. 

Operation of Ferries is a State subject.  Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) established through IWAI Act, 1985 for the regulation and development of National Waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation has notified (with the prior approval of the Central Govt.)  following regulations for safety considerations-

            (i)  Prevention of Collision on National Waterways Regulations, 2002 and

            (ii) National waterway, Safety of Navigation and Shipping Regulations, 2002       

Further Government has enacted the Inland Vessels (I.V.) Act, 2021 replacing I.V. Act 1917 for uniformity of rules and regulation for inland navigation in the country covering safety considerations.             

LIST OF 25 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO MOVEMENT

Sl. No.

National Waterway No.

Details of Waterways

STATES

Status

1

National Waterway 1

Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia - Allahabad)

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal

Development taken up with Assistance from World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project

2

National Waterway 2

Brahmaputra River (Dhubri - Sadiya)

Assam

Development taken up as per approved SFC for FY 20-21 to 2024-25

3

National Waterway 16

Barak River

Assam

4

National Waterway 3

West Coast Canal (Kottapuram - Kollam), Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals

Kerala

Mostly Operational Waterways and development and maintenance work taken up.

5

National Waterway 4

Krishna River (Vijayawada – Muktyala)

Andhra Pradesh

6

National Waterway 5

Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal

Odisha

7

National Waterway 8

Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal

Kerala

8

National Waterway 9

Alappuzha-Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal

Kerala
Alternate route: 11.5km

9

National Waterway 27

Cumberjua River

Goa

10

National Waterway 68

Mandovi River

Goa

11

National Waterway 86

Rupnarayan River

West Bengal

12

National Waterway 97

Sunderbans Waterway

West Bengal

13

National Waterway 111

Zuari River

Goa

14

National Waterway 10

Amba River

Maharashtra

Projects at appraisal

stage

15

National Waterway 40

Ghagra River

Bihar

16

National Waterway 44

Ichamati River

West Bengal

17

National Waterway 52

Kali River

Karnataka

18

National Waterway 57

Kopili River

Assam

19

National Waterway 25

Chapora River

Goa

20

National Waterway 37

Gandak River

Bihar

21

National Waterway 28

Dabhol Creek Vasisti River

Maharashtra

Substantial cargo moves in tidal waters/river mouth under respective State maritime board. No interventions are contemplated by IWAI as of now.

22

National Waterway 73

Narmada River

Maharashtra & Gujarat

23

National Waterway 85

Revadanda Creek - Kundalika River System

Maharashtra

24

National Waterway 94

Sone River

Bihar

25

National Waterway 100

Tapi River

Maharashtra & Gujarat

This information was given by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

****

        MJPS/MS/jk