India Targets 76 Operational Waterways By 2027: Consultative Committee Meeting held in Mumbai
At a consultative committee meeting held in Mumbai, the financial capital of country, Charing the meeting Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal declared that the centre aims at the operationalisation of 76 inland waterways by 2027 which further aims at increasing the cargo volumes by 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by March 2026.
Addressing the meeting, the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Inland waterways are emerging as the watershed moment in India’s logistics and transport ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are witnessing a transformational shift with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan & Navic among others. Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These roadmaps are not just policy documents—they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse. Today’s meeting with esteemed Members of Parliament reflects a unified commitment to boost infrastructure and unlock the immense economic potential of our rivers and coasts.
As per the statement released by the ministry, inland water transport coverage will be expanded from 11 states in FY 2024 to 23 states and 4 Union Territories by FY 2027. And to boost this, the government has announced projects worth ₹1,400 crore, as stated in the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting in January 2025.
Sonwal in his meeting added “Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These roadmaps are not just policy documents—they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse”. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, Shatrughan Prasad Sinha, Bibhu Prasad Tarai, and Hibi Eden among others.