Cargo Movement on National Waterways

Cargo Movement on National Waterways

The cargo movement on National Waterways (NWs) have witnessed growth during the last five years. The cargo movement on NWs in 2020-21 was 83.61 million tonnes which increased to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25 with a growth of 74.43%. The cargo movement during last five years along with growth is given below:

Year

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

Cargo movement (in Million Tonnes)

83.61

108.79

126.15

133.03

145.84

Annual Growth over previous year

–

30.13%

15.95%

5.45%

9.63%

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways through Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under this Ministry has taken several initiatives for developing the declared National Waterways. In March, 2016, 106 new NWs were declared under National Waterways Act, 2016 increasing the total to 111 NWs in the country. As on date, 29 NWs have been made operational and IWAI has initiated the process to develop additional 47 NWs by 2027.The details of efforts made to tackle challenges in order to promote inland water transport sector in the country are given below:

The steps taken to tackle challenges in inland water transport and to ensure sustainability of NWs in the country:

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarabananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.