The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has developed a Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) terminal at Muktyala on National Waterway-4 (Krishna River) to facilitate Ro-Ro movement. Additionally, IWAI constructed and handed over four floating jetties to Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in 2024 to support tourism activities, and has awarded the construction of another Ro-Ro terminal at Harishchandrapuram in Andhra Pradesh.
Funding for NW-4 development has shown significant increase over the past three years, with ₹0.67 crore allocated/utilized in 2023-24, ₹1.22 crore in 2024-25, and ₹18.28 crore in 2025-26. The waterway recorded substantial traffic during 2025-26 with cargo movement of 5.71 million tonnes and passenger movement of 2.34 million.
Infrastructure development continues with the transfer of 3.80 acres of land from the State Irrigation Department at Ibrahimpatnam, NTR District, Andhra Pradesh currently in progress for additional Ro-Ro terminal facilities. However, navigation on NW-4 faces operational challenges including seasonal variation in water depth dependent on regulated releases from Pulichintala Dam, presence of low-level bridges, old navigational locks, and encroachments that affect development and navigation.
This information was formally provided by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.