Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Digital Portal to Boost Private Investment in National Waterways

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, launched a digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to invite private investment in the development of infrastructure on India’s National Waterways. The launch marks a significant milestone in promoting inland water transport and simplifying regulatory procedures to boost private sector participation.

This move comes in line with the newly introduced National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, which provides a legal framework for private entities to develop, operate, and maintain jetties or terminals on national waterways. Both permanent and temporary terminals, existing or new, are now covered under the new regulatory regime. Entities can apply for a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from IWAI through the digital platform, making the process seamless and transparent.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Shri Sonowal said, “The digital portal and the new regulations are transformative steps in India’s maritime logistics sector. They reflect the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat through sustainable infrastructure and Ease of Doing Business (EODB).”

First Digital NoC Issued for Goa Jetty

The highlight of the launch event was the issuance of the first NoC via the portal to Marina India Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, a Mumbai-based company. With an investment of ₹8 crore, the company will develop a jetty at Malim on River Mandovi (National Waterway-68) in Goa. This terminal will accommodate up to 16 private yachts and enhance river cruise tourism in the state.

Sonowal added, “Inland waterways have already shown great potential with cargo movement jumping from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023–24. These reforms will accelerate this growth and help create a robust, efficient, and environmentally friendly inland transport system.”

The newly introduced digital portal and regulatory framework aim to provide long-term operational clarity for investors. Permanent terminals can operate indefinitely, while temporary terminals will initially be authorized for five years with possible extensions.

The event also saw participation from senior officials, including Shri Vijay Kumar, Chairman of IWAI, who noted that this initiative will strengthen the inland waterways as a key pillar of India’s multimodal logistics network.

This development is expected to pave the way for increased private sector involvement in the country’s blue economy and significantly enhance the capacity and utility of India’s inland water transport system.