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India has 32 operational National Waterways spanning 5,155 km; year-wise NW development funding rose from ₹425.43 crore (2021-22) to ₹1,074.48 crore (2025-26, unaudited).
Cargo movement on National Waterways nearly doubled to 218.24 million tonnes in 2025-26 from 108.79 MMT in 2021-22, with NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly) alone carrying 84.78 MMT.
Passenger traffic on NWs rose from 7.64 crore (2024-25) to 10.56 crore (2025-26); ferry services operate on 23 of the 32 waterways.
Policy measures include the Jalvahak Scheme (35% cargo incentive on NW-1/2/16), extension of the tonnage tax scheme to inland vessels, and new National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations 2025 opening the sector to private investment.
Capacity augmentation of NW-1 (Ganga) for commercial navigation
Key: Largest single NW funding line — ₹616.27 crore in 2025-26 alone, within NW-1's total allocation
Incentivise cargo movement on inland waterways
Key: 35% incentive to cargo owners for scheduled service on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16 (via the IBP route), operated by Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited; ₹95.42 crore over 3 years
Predictable, size-based taxation for inland vessel operators
Key: Extended to inland vessels registered under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021, announced in Budget 2025-26
Enable private investment in inland waterways infrastructure
Key: Provides a clear regulatory framework for private jetty/terminal development
Statutory body regulating and developing India's National Waterways
Declared 111 waterways as National Waterways with effect from 12 April 2016 (5 pre-existing + 106 new)
Constituted the Inland Waterways Authority of India in 1986
GS Paper 3 > Infrastructure > Inland Water Transport
Recurring — inland waterways progress data updated most Parliament sessions
Inland Waterways Authority of India — the statutory body regulating and developing National Waterways, established 1986