January 9, 2024 In a groundbreaking move to enhance India’s inland waterways, the first edition of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) held in Kolkata concluded with significant commitments and initiatives. Chaired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the IWDC aimed to boost capacity and viability in the country’s inland water transport.
A substantial investment of Rs 45,000 crore was announced during the meet for the development of river cruise tourism. Out of this total amount, an estimated Rs 35,000 crore will be dedicated to cruise vessels, with an additional Rs 10,000 crore allocated for the development of cruise terminal infrastructure by 2047. This ambitious initiative aims to position India as a major hub for river cruise tourism in the coming years.
Moreover, a commitment of Rs 15,200 crore was made at the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) in October 2023 to amplify inland waterways for cargo trade. This investment is anticipated to propel cargo trade volume by over 400%, reaching 500 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) by 2047. Shri Sonowal unveiled the ‘Harit Nauka’ guidelines and ‘River Cruise Tourism Roadmap, 2047’ during the inaugural session of IWDC.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the importance of leveraging India’s vast inland water resources for economic growth. He stated, “Inland waterways are the arteries of progress, and the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) marks a pivotal stride in our commitment to harness their potential.”
The roadmap outlined at the IWDC focuses on expanding capacity in 26 additional waterways suitable for river cruise tourism. It aims to increase the number of cruise circuits with night stays from 17 to 80 and enhance the infrastructure by multiplying the number of river cruise terminals from 15 to 185. By 2047, the plan anticipates a significant growth in cruise tourism traffic, both with and without night stays.
Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and Tourism, Shri Shripad Naik, and Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, were also present at the IWDC. The event witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 15,200 crore to boost capacity in inland waterways.
Shri Sonowal highlighted the transformative journey of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata, which, after being in a loss in 2014, is expected to achieve a net surplus of over Rs 550 crore for FY2023-24. This turnaround performance underscores the positive impact of strategic initiatives and investments in the waterway infrastructure.
The IWDC, organized by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), focused on aligning with the vision outlined in the Maritime India Vision 2030. The government aims to increase the modal share of inland water transport from 2% to 5%, with the goal of elevating the existing cargo volume from ~120 MTPA to over 500 MTPA by 2047, as part of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
In conclusion, the IWDC serves as a significant step toward unlocking the potential of India’s inland waterways, fostering sustainable development, and positioning the country as a prominent player in river cruise tourism on the global stage.
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