In a major push to enhance private sector participation in inland water transport (IWT), Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched a dedicated digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to streamline investment and infrastructure development on National Waterways.
Highlights
- The initiative is aimed at facilitating ease of doing business (EODB) and encouraging private investment in inland water transport (IWT) in the country.
- The launch follows the introduction of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, which lays out a framework for private players to invest in the construction and operation of jetties and terminals across India’s national waterways network.
- As per the newly notified National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, any entity — including private players — can now develop or operate an inland waterway terminal on a National Waterway by securing a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
- The regulations apply to both existing and new terminals, whether permanent or temporary.
Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Sonowal stated, ‘The launch of the National Waterways Regulations, 2025, along with the IWAI’s digital portal, marks a transformative step in India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem. By enabling private participation in developing jetties and terminals, we unlock immense potential for sustainable infrastructure growth in inland waterways transport—a vision championed by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. This initiative simplifies regulatory processes and underscores our commitment to EODB, economic empowerment, and job creation.’
First Digital NoC Issued to Private Entity
The Union Minister also handed over the first No Objection Certificate issued through the new portal to Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited, a Mumbai-based company. The NoC allows the company to construct a terminal at Malim on National Waterway-68 (River Mandovi) in Goa.
With an estimated investment of ₹8 crore, the proposed jetty will accommodate up to 16 privately owned yachts and pleasure crafts measuring up to 30 meters in length. The facility is expected to significantly boost river cruise tourism in the region by facilitating smooth docking and undocking operations.
The digital portal and regulatory framework together aim to create a unified and transparent process for terminal development, thereby reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable growth, modernisation of inland transport infrastructure, and the larger vision of Viksit Bharat.
The event was attended by Shri Vijay Kumar, Chairman of IWAI, along with other senior officials from the Ministry and the Authority.
