During India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 in Mumbai, IWAI signed agreements covering river cruises, ship repair, multimodal connectivity, and clean‑energy transport along National Waterway‑1.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), has announced agreements worth more than ₹600 billion for the development and expansion of National Waterway‑1 (NW-1) on the River Ganga.
The MoUs, signed in October during India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 in Mumbai, include projects for river cruises, ship repair infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, and clean‑energy transportation along NW‑1. IWAI also announced an investment boost of ₹13.5 billion to accelerate inland water transport and river cruise infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.
As part of the nationwide push that saw 25 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) inked, Uttar Pradesh secured major commitments focused on expanding operations in Varanasi and along the Ganga corridor. IWAI signed an agreement with cruise operator Heritage River Journeys to induct new vessels and expand cruise tourism on national waterways. Another pact with cruise operator Alaknanda Cruises will support premium river tourism and heritage circuits in Varanasi. Together, these projects account for more than ₹8 billion.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, said, “These MoUs demonstrate how inland waterways are emerging as engines of growth, tourism, and regional integration.”
To position Uttar Pradesh as a regional maritime services hub, IWAI signed an MoU with the state government for a new ship repair facility in Varanasi, with an investment of ₹3.5 billion. Two new river cruise terminals, worth ₹2 billion, will also be developed in Varanasi, enhancing passenger comfort and operational capacity.
To promote clean and sustainable river mobility, the state approved a project for electric vessel charging infrastructure, aligning with India’s National Green Shipping Mission. A ₹1 billion MoU will enable the rollout of electric charging facilities for vessels.
Skills and Innovation Hub
A ₹2 billion initiative will establish a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Varanasi, focused on skill development, research, and innovation in inland water transport operations, vessel design, and green technologies. A landmark MoU with global logistics service provider Rhenus Logistics worth ₹10 billion will enable the induction of modern tug‑barges on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, boosting cargo capacity and multimodal logistics efficiency.
Sonowal added, “This will strengthen our logistics ecosystem but also open new avenues for trade, tourism, and regional integration. Together, let us reaffirm our commitment as partners in progress, stewards of our waterways, and architects of a future where the inland water transport sector truly knows no bounds.”
A sum of ₹15 billion ($180 million) has been earmarked under the MoU signed between IWAI and the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) of IIT Madras for dredging works supervision on NW‑1.
To accelerate work under PM Gati Shakti, rail connectivity for multimodal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia is being proposed through an MoU with Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corp. Ltd (IPRCL) for preparing the detailed project report and providing project management consultancy services, at an investment of ₹15 billion.