The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways provided a comprehensive update on development projects in ports, waterways and shipping sectors, detailing investments exceeding ₹78,000 crore across multiple states and National Waterways.
Policy Initiatives and National Waterway-1 Projects
The Government has implemented several policy initiatives including the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulation, 2025, Jalvahak scheme, and extension of Tonnage Tax benefits. On National Waterway-1 (Haldia to Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh has seen significant development with the completed Multimodal Terminal Varanasi (₹182.33 crore), 15 Community Jetties (₹14.23 crore), and installation of hydrogen vessels at Varanasi (₹24 crore). Ongoing projects include the Ship Repair Facility at Varanasi (₹182.93 crore, work in progress) and development of two River Cruise Terminals at Varanasi (₹200 crore, DPR in progress).
Additional projects in Uttar Pradesh include the Regional Centre of Excellence (₹250 crore, DPR in progress), Freight Village-MMLP Varanasi (₹188 crore, PPP bidding ongoing), and Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism at five locations (₹51.61 crore, 1 installed and 4 under construction). Fairway development projects are ongoing at various locations including Majhauwa-Ghazipur and Ghazipur-Varanasi stretches (₹221.51 crore).
Bihar's projects include completed Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat (₹87.13 crore), upgradation of NINI Patna (₹6.35 crore), and 21 Community Jetties (₹39.21 crore). Ongoing work includes Ship Repair Facility at Patna (₹210.56 crore, work in progress) and fairway development on multiple stretches including Farakka-Kahalgaon and Sultanganj-Barh (₹377.56 crore).
Major Infrastructure Projects
The single largest project announced is the Vadhavan Green Field Deep water Port in Maharashtra with an investment of ₹76,220 crore. Other significant completed projects include the Multimodal Terminal Sahibganj in Jharkhand (₹278.44 crore), Multimodal Terminal Haldia in West Bengal (₹508.36 crore), and the New Navigational Lock at Farakka (₹369.53 crore).
North-Eastern Region Development
The North-Eastern Region shows substantial activity on NW-2 and NW-16 in Assam with completed projects totaling ₹1,038.58 crore including Construction of High Level Jetty at Pandu (₹43.89 crore), IWT Terminal at MMLP Jogighopa (₹82.04 crore), and Cargo-cum-Tourist Terminal at Bogibeel (₹101 crore). Ongoing projects include fairway development in NER through DCI for NW-2 (₹143 crore, 67.70% physical progress), Ship Repair Facility at Pandu (₹283.33 crore, 98.46% civil works complete), and various tourist jetties and terminal developments.
Other National Waterways
Completed terminals on other waterways include 4 floating steel pontoon terminals on NW-4 in Andhra Pradesh (₹5.84 crore), Permanent Ro-Ro terminal in Andhra Pradesh (₹13.27 crore), and 4 floating concrete terminals on NW-68 in Goa (₹9.6 crore). Ongoing projects include community jetties and concrete terminal developments across Goa, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Kerala with completion timelines ranging from December 2026 to March 2027.
Recent Approvals for Uttar Pradesh
Recent approvals include Development of Ship Repair Facility at Varanasi (work awarded on 29.04.2026 with 2-year completion timeline) and Development of Freight Village-Multimodal Logistics Park at Varanasi (PPP bidding in progress with Letter of Award targeted for October 2026).