Staying updated on economic and regulatory issues is non-negotiable for exams like RBI, SEBI, or NABARD. Every topic matters. Every update can turn into a question. In today’s Vishleshan, we focus on ”The River’s Return: India’s Waterways Rediscovered” This issue is timely. Its relevance is growing. And its impact is deeply linked with policy and regulation. Understanding it now will not just help in exams but also sharpen your perspective.
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The River’s Return: India’s Waterways Rediscovered
Context: Once the arteries of ancient commerce, India’s rivers are being rediscovered as modern highways. This article by Sarbananda Sonowal explores how a renewed vision is turning 14,500 km of waterways into engines for a greener, more prosperous future.
Link to the Article: Business Standard
The article, authored by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, celebrates the revival of India’s ancient river networks as modern highways for commerce and tourism. It argues that a transformative government approach, backed by institutional funding and ambitious policies, is rejuvenating a long-neglected sector. It highlights the impressive growth in cargo movement, the launch of major infrastructure projects, and a strong push towards sustainability and digitalisation, positioning inland waterways as a cornerstone of the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision for a greener, more connected future.
An Overview of Waterways in India:
What are Waterways?
Waterways refer to any navigable body of water, such as rivers, canals, lakes, and oceans, that can be used for transportation. They are a critical component of a country’s transport infrastructure and are broadly classified into two categories:
- Seaways: This involves transport over the open sea, primarily connecting a country’s coastal ports with each other and with international ports.
- Inland Waterways: This involves the transportation of goods and passengers via a country’s domestic network of rivers, canals, backwaters, and lakes. The focus of India’s current policy is on developing this vast inland network.
The Legal and Institutional Framework:
The development of inland waterways in India is governed by a robust legal and institutional framework designed to transform this underutilised sector.
- Constitutional Provision: Under the Indian Constitution, the Union Government is responsible for regulating and developing shipping and navigation on inland waterways that are declared by Parliament to be National Waterways. The development of all other waterways falls under the purview of the respective State Governments.
- The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) Act, 1985: This foundational legislation led to the creation of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in 1986.
- IWAI: The IWAI is the principal statutory body responsible for the development, maintenance, and regulation of National Waterways. Its key functions include building infrastructure (like terminals and jetties), conducting hydrographic surveys, providing navigational aids, and advising the government on matters related to Inland Water Transport (IWT).
- The National Waterways Act, 2016: This was a landmark piece of legislation that completely revolutionised the scope of inland waterways in India. Before this Act, only five inland waterways were declared as National Waterways. This Act declared an additional 106 waterways, taking the total number of National Waterways (NWs) to 111 across 24 states. This provided the legal mandate for the government’s ambitious plan to develop the sector.
- The Inland Vessels Act, 2021: This Act replaced an over 100-year-old law. Its primary purpose is to create a unified regulatory framework for inland vessels across the country. It introduces a single national database for vessel registration, standardises safety and pollution control norms, and ensures uniform certification for crew, making vessel movement between states seamless.
Major Initiatives and Schemes:
While there are 111 NWs, the government’s strategy is to focus on developing the most viable and high-traffic corridors first.
- Major National Waterways:
- National Waterway 1 (NW-1): The Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Prayagraj to Haldia (1620 km). This is the most operationally significant and developed waterway.
- National Waterway 2 (NW-2): The Brahmaputra River from Dhubri to Sadiya (891 km).
- National Waterway 3 (NW-3): The West Coast Canal in Kerala, a crucial artery for local trade and tourism.
- Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): This is a flagship project for the capacity augmentation of NW-1, being implemented with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank. The project aims to enable the commercial navigation of vessels with a capacity of 1500-2000 tonnes by building multi-modal terminals, barrages, and developing the navigational channel.
- Sagarmala Programme: While primarily focused on port-led development, this programme complements the growth of inland waterways by integrating them with coastal shipping routes and port infrastructure, creating a seamless multi-modal logistics network.
- National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025: A recent and critical move by IWAI to streamline the process for granting permissions for the construction of jetties and terminals by private entities. By creating a clear, time-bound, and transparent framework, it aims to attract private investment and accelerate infrastructure development.
- Harit Nauka Guidelines (2024): These guidelines promote the transition of inland vessels to cleaner fuels like CNG, LNG, electric batteries, and green hydrogen, aligning the sector’s growth with India’s environmental commitments.
Decoding the Article: An Analysis
The article by the Union Minister provides a comprehensive progress report and future vision for India’s inland waterways, linking it directly to the Prime Minister’s vision for a developed and green India.
1. The Core Narrative: Reclaiming a Lost Legacy
The article begins by framing the current push as a revival of India’s historical reliance on rivers as “the first highways.” It contrasts a long period of neglect with a new era of rejuvenation under the Modi government, crediting the shift to an “outcome-driven and well-intentioned” approach focused on multi-modal connectivity.
2. Making Sense of the Numbers: A Story of Exponential Growth
The author uses strong data points to showcase the tangible results of this policy shift:
- Expansion of Network: A leap from just 5 National Waterways before 2014 to 111 today, with 32 now operational. This highlights the sheer scale and ambition of the new policy.
- Cargo Movement: A staggering 8-fold increase in cargo movement, from 18 million tonnes (MT) in 2013-14 to 145 MT in 2024-25. This is the most powerful metric used to demonstrate the success of the initiative.
- Future Targets: The ambitions are bold, aiming for 200 MT by 2030 and an additional 250 MT by 2047, embedding waterways into the long-term Viksit Bharat plan.
3. Key Projects as Proof of Progress
The article moves from macro numbers to specific projects to illustrate that the vision is being executed on the ground.
- Jal Marg Vikas Project (NW-1): This is presented as the prime example of giving the Ganga an “economic purpose,” with terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia now handling real cargo.
- Eastern Waterway Grid: The linking of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers is highlighted as an “elegant, long-overdue idea” now being executed with speed.
- Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax Services: These are showcased as examples of people-centric development, acting as “floating bridges” that transform daily lives in multiple states.
4. The Push for a Modern, Digital, and Green Ecosystem
A key theme is that this revival is not about returning to old methods but about building a futuristic transport system.
- Digitalisation: Mention of platforms like the Jal Samriddhi portal (for approvals), Naudharshika (a real-time river traffic system like a maritime GPS), and CAR-D (Cargo Data Portal) demonstrates a focus on transparency and efficiency.
- Sustainability: The Harit Nauka Guidelines and the deployment of India’s first hydrogen-powered boat in Varanasi by Cochin Shipyard are cited as proof of the commitment to a green transition, with plans to explore carbon credits for shifting cargo to waterways.
- Tourism as a Growth Engine: The growth from 5 to 25 cruise vessels and plans for new circuits on the Narmada and Yamuna show a parallel focus on leveraging waterways for high-value tourism.
5. Acknowledging Challenges and the Path Forward
The article maintains a realistic tone by acknowledging the challenges.
- Institutional Coordination: The author concedes that coordination among central, state, and local authorities remains a hurdle that must be overcome with a spirit of “cooperative federalism.”
- Skill Gap: A crucial point is the need for a new generation of trained professionals. The establishment of the National Inland Navigation Institute in Patna and another centre in Assam is presented as the solution to this impending skill gap.
In conclusion, the article is a powerful advocacy piece that uses historical context, impressive growth data, specific project examples, and a forward-looking vision to argue that India is successfully turning its long-neglected rivers into vibrant and sustainable highways of commerce, tourism, and prosperity.