Cargo traffic on India's National Waterways reached a record high of 145.5 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2024-25. This marks an all-time high in the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector. The total number of operational waterways has increased from 24 to 29 during the year.
Cargo traffic on National Waterways has increased significantly between FY-14 and FY-25. The growth recorded a CAGR of 20.86%. In FY-25, traffic movement registered a growth of 9.34% year-on-year from FY-24.
The Jalvahak scheme, launched in December, promotes the shift of cargo to IWT. The scheme incentivizes cargo owners and movers by covering 35% of operating expenses on waterways. Scheduled cargo services were made operational on NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol.