Sarbanand Sonowal presented a plan to double the share of coastal and inland waterway freight to 12% by 2047.

Sarbanand Sonowal, who is the head of the National Waterway Development Agency (NWDA), today set a target to double India’s coastal and waterway freight share to 12% by 2047 through a detailed plan. This proposal is prepared under the government’s waterway policy to strengthen waterway infrastructure, terminal facilities and a modern point‑to‑point logistics network. Currently, coastal and inland water freight contributes only about 6% at the national level, while more than 80% of freight is moved by road and rail. Sonowal said that adopting waterways could reduce fuel consumption by up to 30% and achieve a notable cut in carbon emissions, helping India meet its environmental goals.

Key points of the plan include linking major coastal ports with waterway terminals, fast‑tracking new inland waterway projects in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bengal and Gujarat, and promoting a public‑private partnership (PPP) model to attract private investors. In addition, the plan calls for the procurement of modern boring and load‑handling equipment, establishment of a digital tracking system, and raising waterway safety standards to international levels.

Analysts believe that if the plan is implemented on time, India’s logistics costs could fall by as much as 15% and rural and industrial regions could benefit from cheaper transport. However, challenges such as higher upfront investment compared with roads and rail, fluctuating water levels, and environmental clearances remain in waterway development. Sonowal said these challenges...