Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, unveiled a Rs 50,000 crore plan to build inland waterways in India on January 10, 2025, at the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council. According to the grand plan, the nation’s waterways infrastructure would be developed during the following five years. The Riverine Community Development Scheme, which focuses on community development around national waterways, is one of the plan’s key components. It will support the preservation of traditional riverine knowledge, skill development, and trade and tourism.
Vessel traffic on waterways will also be regulated with the implementation of the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS). To promote long-haul cargo transportation on well-known routes like NW 1 (Ganga), NW 2 (Brahmaputra), and NW 16 (Barak), the government has launched the Jalvahak initiative. In support of the government’s green shipping objectives, more than 1,000 green ships will be launched. Sonowal specifically emphasized the growth of shipbuilding and repair facilities to support local companies and create jobs.
It is anticipated that more than 1000 crores will be allotted for the construction of a Regional Center of Excellence in Dibrugarh and the development of infrastructure in Assam. In Goa and Uttar Pradesh, new jetties and ship maintenance facilities will also be built. The strategy also calls for the development of green shipping, which has been given around 23 thousand crores. Additionally, it will encourage regional connectivity by making trade with neighboring nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar easier.