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New Delhi: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed an MoU with global logistics giant Rhenus Group to launch cargo transport using barges across key National Waterways.
In the first phase, 20 barges and 6 pushers will operate on National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak), along with the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route. The goal is to move over 1 million tonnes of cargo by the end of 2025.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, present at the event, said the initiative will help make transport greener and more cost-effective. He also said the project aligns with the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and will bring global best practices to India’s inland water transport system.
In total, 100 barges will be introduced in phases. These efforts are part of the Jal Marg Vikas project to improve inland water transport with better terminals, jetties, and navigation support.
India has expanded its number of active national waterways from 3 in 2014 to 24 now, with a goal of 29 by 2025. Cargo moved through these routes has grown more than four times in the last decade.
