Backgrounder: 111 National Waterways, 32 operational
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
India has 111 National Waterways covering 20,187 km across 23 States and 4 UTs, declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016. As of March 2026, 32 are operational over 5,155 km. Budget 2026-27 plans 20 new operational waterways in five years. NW cargo hit 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25 and 198 MMT by February 2026.
- Declared
- 111 NWs, 20,187 km, 23 States + 4 UTs (National Waterways Act, 2016)
- Operational
- 32 NWs, 5,155 km (March 2026); to reach 52 in five years
- Cargo
- 145.84 MMT in 2024-25; 198 MMT till Feb 2026
- Passengers
- 1.61 crore (2023-24) → 7.6 crore (2024-25)
- Regulator
- Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI Act, 1985)
- Goal
- IWT modal share 2% → 5%; cargo 200+ MMT by 2030, 500 MMT by 2047
India’s National Waterways: what happened?
Rivers can carry coal, cement and grain more cheaply than trucks. Most of India’s waterways are still unused. The government wants to shift some freight from busy roads and railways to water.
- Budget 2026-27: 20 new NWs over five years and a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme.
- Aim: raise inland waterways plus coastal shipping share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
- NW-5 in Odisha to link Talcher and Angul with Kalinga Nagar and the ports of Paradip and Dhamra.
- Ship repair ecosystem for inland waterways at Varanasi and Patna.
- As of November 2025: cargo on 29 NWs, cruises on 15, passenger services on 23; 11 NWs have all three.
- A 2,000-tonne inland vessel can replace about 125 trucks of 16 tonnes each.
Which laws and schemes govern inland waterways?
| Law / scheme | Key point |
|---|---|
| IWAI Act, 1985 | Created IWAI to develop and regulate NWs |
| National Waterways Act, 2016 | Kept the first 5 NWs and declared 106 more (111 total) |
| Inland Vessels Act, 2021 | Uniform rules on vessel survey, registration, manning, safety, pollution |
| Jalvahak Scheme, 2024 | Reimburses up to 35% of operating cost on NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 |
| Jetties/Terminals Regulations, 2025 | Lets private firms and others build jetties on NWs |
What makes a waterway “operational”?
- A fairway of adequate depth and width.
- Working terminals with road and rail links.
- Reliable navigation aids.
What does the Constitution say?
- Union List, entry 24: shipping and navigation on inland waterways declared by Parliament by law to be national waterways, as regards mechanically propelled vessels.
- Concurrent List, entry 32: shipping and navigation on other inland waterways, subject to List I on national waterways.
- So a waterway becomes national only through an Act of Parliament.
Which are some key operational NWs?
| NW | Route | State(s) |
|---|---|---|
| NW-1 | Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly (Haldia–Allahabad) | UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, WB |
| NW-2 | Brahmaputra (Dhubri–Sadiya) | Assam |
| NW-3 | West Coast Canal | Kerala |
| NW-4 | Krishna-Godavari systems | Andhra Pradesh |
| NW-5 | East Coast Canal, Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra, Mahanadi delta | Odisha |
| NW-16 | Barak River | Assam |
Why does India’s National Waterways matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Economy | Lower logistics cost for bulk cargo. |
| Environment | ILO: energy use 3–6 times lower than road and up to 2 times lower than rail. |
| Regional | Links mineral belts and the Northeast to ports. |
| Employment | Ship repair and training centres along NWs. |
What are the challenges in India’s National Waterways?
- Only 32 of 111 NWs are operational.
- Waterways need regular dredging, terminals and road/rail links.
- Inland water transport carries a small share of passengers; its role is mainly freight.
What should be done next on India’s National Waterways?
- Operationalise 20 new NWs; take operational NWs to 52.
- Launch the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme.
What can Prelims ask on India’s National Waterways?
- NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly, Haldia–Allahabad.
- National Waterways Act, 2016: 111 NWs.
- IWAI Act, 1985.
- Jalvahak: up to 35% operating cost reimbursed.
- Inland waterway: vessels of at least 50 tonnes can ply under normal conditions.
How to write about India’s National Waterways in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Inland water transport remains under-used in India despite its cost and environmental advantages. Examine the constraints and recent policy measures.
- Intro: 111 NWs vs 32 operational.
- Advantages: cost, energy, emissions.
- Constraints: depth, terminals, connectivity.
- Measures: Acts, Jalvahak, Budget 2026-27, NW-5.
- Conclusion: Maritime Amrit Kaal targets.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-04-27): india has 111 National Waterways (20,187 km) across 23 States and 4 UTs; 32 are operational.
- Waterways move freight cheaply with less carbon, but only a few are working so far.
Quotable data pointIndia has 111 National Waterways (20,187 km) across 23 States and 4 UTs.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: inland waterways, 27 Apr 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NW-1, NW-2, NW-3.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
National Waterway-1 runs along which river system?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 27 April 2026: NW-1 Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly (Haldia–Allahabad).
With reference to inland waterways in India, consider the following statements:
1. The National Waterways Act, 2016 declared 111 National Waterways.
2. The Jalvahak scheme reimburses up to 35% of operating cost on selected waterways.
3. All 111 National Waterways are operational.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 27 April 2026: only 32 NWs are operational.
Questions students ask about this
How many National Waterways does India have?
111, under the National Waterways Act, 2016, covering 20,187 km. 32 are operational as of March 2026.
What did Budget 2026-27 announce for waterways?
Operationalising 20 new National Waterways over five years and a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme.
What is the Jalvahak scheme?
A 2024 cargo promotion scheme that reimburses up to 35% of operating cost for scheduled cargo on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16.
How much cargo moved on National Waterways in 2024-25?
145.84 million metric tonnes, an all-time high.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: inland waterways, 27 Apr 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending