The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has implemented multiple initiatives to encourage private investment and expand the operational network of National Waterways for cargo and passenger traffic. The government has notified the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 to facilitate construction and operation of terminals by private entities, while also launching the Jalvahak Scheme that provides incentives up to 35% to promote cargo movement on inland waterways.
Private sector participation is being encouraged through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models with long concession periods for operation and maintenance of terminals. The Jalyan & Navic portal, a One Nation One Registration single window system serving as a centralized national registry for inland vessels and crew, is fully operational with 18 States/UTs onboarded. As of 30th July 2026, the portal has registered 9,953 inland vessels and 1,215 crew members.
The government has identified major challenges including limited industrial zones along National Waterways, inadequate availability of suitable inland vessels, insufficient first and last-mile connectivity, limited multimodal logistics infrastructure, and low awareness among cargo owners and operators about Inland Water Transport benefits.
To address these challenges, multiple measures have been implemented: development of Multi-Modal Terminals, Inter-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals and cargo aggregation hubs; implementation of the Jalvahak Scheme for cargo incentives; notification of the 2025 regulations for private investment; development of an enabling ecosystem for vessel deployment; operationalization of additional Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes; development of passenger and cruise infrastructure; engagement with stakeholders to promote modal shift; development of Multi Modal Logistic Parks along waterways; and fairway maintenance through river training works, channel marking and hydrographic surveys.
This information was provided by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on 4th August 2026.