In line with the targets set under Maritime India vision 2030, India has registered a six-fold increase in cargo movements on waterways since 2013-14, said the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal in the Lok Sabha on Friday. India’s total traffic handled increased from 29.16 MMT in FY 2014-15 to 133.03 MMT in FY 2023-24, witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.07 per cent.
The surge registers a six-fold increase in the volume of cargo transported on waterways in FY 2023-24 as compared to 18.07 MMT in FY 2013-14.
The number of operational waterways has also increased to 26 in 2024 from just 3 in 2013-14, as 106 new national waterways were declared in 2016. The government approved the development of 13 new national waterways in the year 2022, the MoPSW stated. Currently, India has over 14,500 kilometres of waterways.
India aims to enhance its cargo traffic numbers in the coming years as the 200 MMT cargo traffic target has been set by 2030 under the Maritime India Vision 2030. An ambitious target of 500 MMT has been set under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The Jal Marg Vikas Project (Waterways development project) (JMVP), aimed at increasing the capacity of NW1 from Haldia to Varanasi covering a length of 1,390 kilometres, was introduced in 2018. The project is underway with a financial outlay of Rs 5,369.18 crore, as per the MoPSW.
The minister, while sharing the details of new waterways, stated that 14 new waterways have been approved for the development. The projects, expected to cost around Rs 400 crore, are underway in Kerala, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam and Maharashtra.
