| NEW NATIONAL WATERWAYS |
|---|
India’s Inland Waterway network has been significantly expanded under the National Waterways Act, 2016, with the identification of 106 new National Waterways to support freight and passenger movement. These waterways include rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks across multiple states, reflecting India’s extensive natural aquatic network and the potential for inland water transport to become a cost-effective, sustainable mode of logistics and mobility.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has been directed to carry out phased development on these waterways. The 106 new waterways have been grouped into three categories based on viability and geographic characteristics:
Category I: Most viable waterways prioritized for Phase-I development.
Category II: Coastal rivers and canals grouped into clusters for further feasibility and DPR studies.
Category III: Waterways in remote, hilly, or less accessible regions undergoing initial feasibility assessments.
Development activities, including consultancies for EPC tendering and environmental studies, as well as detailed project reports (DPRs), are underway to guide future implementation.
| State-wise Distribution of New Waterways |
|---|
| S.No. | State | No. of rivers / canal | Name of the River / Canal |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 2 | Pennar and Tungabhadra |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | 1 | Lohit |
| 3 | Assam | 14 | Aai, Barak, Beki, Dhansiri / Chathe, Dehing, Dikhu, Doyans, Gangadhar, Jinjiram, Kopili, Lohit, Puthimari, Subansiri and Tlwang (Dhaleswari) |
| 4 | Bihar | 6 | Gandak, Ghaghra, Karamnasa, Kosi, Punpun and Sone |
| 5 | Delhi | 1 | Yamuna |
| 6 | Goa | 6 | Chapora, Cumberjua, Mandovi, Mapusa, Sal and Zuari |
| 7 | Gujarat | 5 | Jawai-Luni - Rann of Kutch, Mahi, Narmada, Sabarmati and Tapi |
| 8 | Haryana | 2 | Indira Gandhi Canal and Yamuna |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Beas, Ravi and Sutlej |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir | 4 | Chenab, Indus, Jhelum and Ravi |
| 11 | Jharkhand | 2 | Kherkai and Subarnarekha |
| 12 | Karnataka | 11 | Bheema, Ghataprabha, Gurupur, Kabini, Kali, Malaprabha, Netravathi, Panchagangavali (Panchagangoli), Sharavati, Tungabhadra and Udayavara |
| 13 | Kerala | 4 | AVM Canal, Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal, Alappuzha- Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal and Kottayam-Vaikom Canal |
| 14 | Maharashtra | 14 | Amba, Arunawati - Aran, Dabhol Creek - Vashishti River, Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai Waterway - Vasai Creek - Ulhas River, Manjara, Nag, Narmada, Penganga - Wardha, Rajpuri Creek, Revadanda Creek - Kundalika River, Savitri (Bankot Creek), Shastri River - Jaigad Creek, Tapi and Wainganga - Pranahita |
| 15 | Meghalaya | 5 | Ganol, Jinjiram, Kynshi, Simsang and Umngot (Dawki) |
| 16 | Mizoram | 1 | Tlwang (Dhaleswari) |
| 17 | Nagaland | 1 | Tizu - Zungki |
| 18 | Odisha | 5 | Baitarni, Birupa - Badi Genguti - Brahmani, Budha Balanga, Mahanadi and Subarnarekha |
| 19 | Punjab | 3 | Beas, Indira Gandhi Canal and Sutlej |
| 20 | Rajasthan | 3 | Indira Gandhi Canal, Jawai-Luni - Rann of Kutch and Luni |
| 21 | Tamil Nadu | 9 | AVM Canal, Bhavani, Kaveri - Kollidam, Manimutharu, Palar, Pazhyar, Ponniyar, Tamaraparani and Vaigai |
| 22 | Telangana | 5 | Bheema, Manjara, Penganga - Wardha, Tungabhadra and Wainganga - Pranahita |
| 23 | Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Asi, Betwa, Chambal, Gandak, Ghaghra, Gomti, Karamnasa, Tons, Varuna and Yamuna |