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

New Delhi: In a major push to modernize India’s inland waterways and boost private participation in the maritime sector, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday launched a dedicated digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The platform aims to streamline the process for private entities to invest in infrastructure development along National Waterways, aligning with the government’s broader agenda of Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and sustainable economic growth.

The launch coincides with the recent notification of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 — a comprehensive framework that now allows private players to construct and operate jetties and terminals across the country’s expanding inland water transport (IWT) network. With a ceremonial click, the Union Minister formally inaugurated the portal, calling it a “transformative step” for India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.

“This initiative not only simplifies regulatory procedures but also reflects our commitment to Ease of Doing Business, economic empowerment, and job creation. It paves the way for a modern, efficient, economical and inclusive inland water transport system powering the nation towards Viksit Bharat,” said Sonowal during the event.

Under the newly notified regulations, any individual, company, or private entity can develop or operate a terminal on a National Waterway by securing a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NoC) from IWAI. This rule applies to both permanent and temporary terminals—whether already operational or newly proposed.

Marking a milestone in the rollout of the new framework, the Union Minister handed over the country’s first digitally issued NoC to Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited, a Mumbai-based company. With an investment of nearly ₹8 crore, the firm plans to build a jetty at Malim on National Waterway-68 (River Mandovi) in Goa. The facility will cater to docking and undocking of up to 16 privately owned yachts and pleasure crafts up to 30 meters in length, significantly enhancing cruise tourism along the scenic river route.

Sonowal lauded the company’s initiative, noting that it sets a precedent for how private players can actively contribute to India’s inland waterway infrastructure. “Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, IWAI has transformed inland waterways into a powerful engine of economic growth—evident from the surge in cargo movement from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24,” he added.

The newly introduced regulations distinguish between permanent and temporary terminals—where permanent terminals can operate indefinitely, and temporary ones are granted an initial five-year term, extendable upon review. This flexible, unified approach aims to attract long-term investments while also supporting short-term projects tailored to regional or seasonal demands.

The digital portal, coupled with the regulatory clarity offered by the 2025 guidelines, is expected to fast-track project approvals, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and ensure greater transparency. With this bold move, the government envisions a new era of digitally driven, sustainable development in inland water transport, while opening doors for increased private sector involvement.