Freight traffic on National Waterways hits a record high of 146 million tonnes in FY 2024-25 | Today news

New -Delhi: The Internal Water Ways Authority of India (Iwai), under the Ministry of Harbors, Shipping and Waterways, reached a significant milestone in freight movement on the national waterways. For the financial year 2024-25, Iwai achieved a record-breaking 145.5 million tonnes of cargo movement, which was a highlight of all time in the IWT sector. In addition, the total number of operational waterways increased to 29 from 24 during the year, which promised a higher freight movement, even in the current financial year. Freight traffic on national waterways increased between 18.10 MT between FY14 and FY25 to 145.5 MT, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.86%, a statement from ports of ports, Shipping and Waterways. In FY-25, traffic movement recorded a 9.34% growth at the year-on-year from FY24. Five commodities, ie coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand and fly ash, form more than 68% of the total load that moved on NWS during the year, added the statement. The growth in freight movement on national waterways is remarkable. Various proactive policy measures and infrastructure initiatives have been taken over the past few years to streamline cargo movement on NWS. The Jalvahak Cargo Promotion Scheme was launched in December last year to promote a modal cargo from other modes to IWT by encouraging freight owners and relatives to 35% of the total actual operating expenses incurred on waterway travel. To further push the scheme, scheduled cargo services were implemented on NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol. This scheme is expected to lead 800 million tonnes of truck freight to IWT mode, which accounts for almost 17% of the current 4,700 million tonnes of load on the national waterways. The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) regulations, 2025, encourage investment in the private sector in the development of domestic terminals on national waterways, which optimize the use of India’s extensive waterways. Private, public and joint enterprise entities can develop jetties/terminal nationwide through a simplified no-obscure certification (NOC) from Iwai by obtaining a digital portal. Promoting freight movement Several other initiatives were also taken to increase cargo movement on IWS. End-to-End-Bagg contracts were issued for different identified stretches on national waterways. The launch of roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) and RO-PAX services on various national waterways also helped the sector. Implementation of digital solutions such as Car-D Portal and Pani Portal for convenience to do business, the central database for registration of vessel and crew (Jalyaan and Navic) to promote digitization, Naudarshika (National River Traffic and Navigation System) for safety and smooth operations. In addition, sufficient waterways infrastructure, such as IWT terminal, night navigation facilities and navigation locks, are developed along NWS. The ministry said that these initiatives are expected to increase the growth of freight movement by national waterways, promoting a more efficient and sustainable way of transport. The government expands its footprint throughout the country and works extensively to capacity enlargement of NW-1, NW-2, NW-3 and NW-16, among others, he added. First published: 15 Apr 2025, 23:05 IST