The Unfulfilled Promise of Water Transport
For nearly three-quarters of a century, India has recognized the tremendous potential of its inland waterways. Since 1950, policymakers have acknowledged that utilizing the country's vast network of rivers, canals, and backwaters could substantially reduce transportation costs, alleviate congestion on roadways, decrease fuel consumption, and provide an alternative for passenger commuting. Yet, as we enter 2025, this vision remains largely unrealized, with progress marked primarily by a succession of acts, regulations, committees, and administrative bodies rather than substantial operational achievements.
Historical Timeline: 74 Years of Institutional Development
The journey to harness India's inland waterways began long before recent initiatives. Contrary to popular belief, the recognition of waterways' strategic importance predates the current administration by decades:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">1950: Formation of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Water Transport Board, marking the first institutional commitment to developing these major river systems for transportation</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">1969-70: Establishment of a dedicated Estimate Committee, indicating renewed interest after nearly two decades</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">1986: Creation of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), following another 16-year gap</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">2021: Enactment of the Inland Vessels Act, aimed at boosting transportation through inland waterways</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">2025: Introduction of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, the latest in this long sequence of institutional frameworks</li>
</ul>
Current Status and Recent Progress
The government proudly highlights the designation of 100 National Waterways, alongside regional waterways in Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, the Sundarbans, and the Icchamathi river system. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, recently informed Parliament of significant growth in cargo movement via national waterways&mdash;from 18 million tonnes a decade ago to 133 million tonnes in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Government statistics indicate an expansion from just five operational waterways in 2014 to 26 by the end of 2024. While this growth is noteworthy, it falls considerably short of the sector's estimated potential, given India's extensive navigable network.
The Vast Untapped Potential
India possesses approximately 20,000 kilometres of potentially navigable waterways, comprising:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">17,980 kilometres of rivers</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">2,256 kilometres of canals and other waterways suitable for mechanized vessels</li>
</ul>
This extensive network represents one of the largest inland waterway systems globally, yet remains significantly underutilized compared to its potential.
Technical Challenges: The Battle with Nature
The slow progress cannot be attributed solely to government inaction. Inland waterway transport faces fundamental challenges dictated by nature and geography:
Water Depth and Draft Requirements
The foremost technical challenge identified by experts is maintaining adequate water depth for vessel navigation. This requires:
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Consistent Water Flow: Both upstream and downstream sections must maintain sufficient year-round water flow, which is heavily dependent on seasonal rainfall patterns</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Channel Maintenance: Preventing sand accumulation that can ground vessels mid-journey</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Regular Monitoring: Constant surveillance of riverbed levels and siltation rates</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Dredging Operations: When siltation increases, dredging becomes necessary&mdash;a technically complex and financially burdensome undertaking</li>
</ol>
According to technical studies, training the Sabarmati River alone was estimated to cost ₹10-12 crore. The Asian Development Bank has emphasized that a natural draft of at least 2 meters is essential for the operation of commercially viable vessels.
Economic Viability: The Financial Equation
Perhaps the most pressing concern is the economic sustainability of inland waterway projects. A 2007 Asian Development Bank report raised significant questions about the financial viability of India's inland waterway investments:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">The sector's annual turnover was approximately ₹110 crore, against an investment of ₹308 crore</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Proposed allocations increased dramatically over successive five-year plans:</li>
<ul type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">₹17,001 crore in the Ninth Five-Year Plan</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">₹5,665 crore in the Tenth Five-Year Plan</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">₹10,500 crore in the Twelfth Five-Year Plan</li>
</ul>
</ul>
This imbalance between investment and returns raises legitimate concerns about the economic sustainability of large-scale inland waterway development.
International Comparisons: Models of Success and Caution
The potential viability of inland waterway transport is demonstrated by successful implementations in several countries:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Bangladesh: 45% of freight moves via inland waterways</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Thailand: 20 million tons of goods are transported through inland water networks</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">European Union: 12% of freight utilizes inland waterways</li>
</ul>
However, China offers a cautionary example. Despite possessing 100,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways&mdash;one of the world's most extensive networks&mdash;inland water transport contributes only 10% to China's freight movement. This suggests that mere existence of navigable waterways doesn't guarantee their effective utilization.
The Path Forward: Key Considerations
For India's inland waterway dream to materialize into a functional reality, two critical factors must be addressed:
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Year-round Navigability: Ensuring sufficient water depth throughout the year, which may require significant engineering interventions and environmental management strategies</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Economic Viability: Establishing that investments in the sector will generate adequate returns, both in direct financial terms and broader economic benefits</li>
</ol>
The Ministry of Shipping, Transport and Waterways must develop comprehensive strategies addressing these fundamental challenges if India's inland waterways are to fulfil their potential after 74 years of institutional evolution.
Rather than continuing to create new regulatory frameworks, the focus must shift to practical implementation, technical solutions, and sustainable business models that can transform India's waterways from an enduring vision into a functional transportation network.
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Cargo transported by Inland Waterways in India (File photos)

Despite decades of planning, inland water transport still awaits full implementation in India

India's Waterways: 74 Years of Untapped Potential

Despite decades of planning, inland water transport still awaits full implementation in India

February 28, 2025 | 16:43 IST