Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has officially launched a new digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The platform aims to invite private investment for infrastructure development along India’s national waterways.
The launch of the portal aligns with the recently introduced national waterways regulations, which include construction of jetties and terminals across India’s national waterways network.
Private entities can now develop and operate an inland terminal on a national waterway by securing a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The 2025 regulations apply to both existing and new terminals, whether permanent or temporary.
The initiative is a step towards facilitating ease of doing business (EODB) in the maritime sector while attracting investment to strengthen inland water transport (IWT) in the country.
As part of the launch ceremony, Union Minister Shri Sonowal awarded the first digital NoC to Mumbai-based Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited. The company will invest approximately ₹8 crores to develop a jetty at Malim, located on National Waterway-68, River Mandovi in Goa.
The facility will accommodate up to 16 private vessels and pleasure crafts up to 30-metre in length, and is expected to contribute to the growth of river cruise tourism in the region.
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Sonowal stated, “The launch of the National Waterways Regulations, 2025, along with the digital portal developed by IWAI, marks a transformative step in India's maritime and logistics ecosystem. By enabling private participation in developing jetties and terminals, we are going to unlock immense potential for sustainable infrastructure growth in inland waterways transportation, a vision of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.”
This initiative not only simplifies regulatory procedures but also reflects our commitment to Ease of Doing Business (EODB), economic empowerment and job creation. It will pave the way for a modern, efficient, economical and inclusive inland water transport system powering the nation towards Viksit Bharat,” the Union Minister added.
In his remarks, Sonowal also highlighted economic growth, saying, “Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, IWAI has transformed inland waterways into a powerful engine of economic growth—evident from the surge in cargo movement from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24.”
“The new National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, will further accelerate this momentum by encouraging private investment, improving procedural efficiency, and advancing sustainable, digitally driven development.”
Permanent terminals developed under the new regulations may operate indefinitely, while temporary ones will initially function for five years, with provisions for extension. The approach is expected to encourage private participation and investment in the inland waterways sector.
The event was also attended by Shri Vijay Kumar, Chairman of the IWAI, and senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
