New Delhi, May 14: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has set up up its new office in Srinagar’s Transport Bhawan.
The office space has been provided by J&K government. From today, this office will be central to all the IWT works being undertaken by the Authority in the region.
IWAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to develop river navigation infrastructure in three national waterways in the Union Territory i.e. NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), NW-84 (River Ravi).
The Authority will now start the development works under the framework of the MoU. These works include setting up of floating jetties at ten locations in Jammu and Kashmir, development of navigational fairway by dredging wherever required, night navigational aids and regular hydrographic surveys for safe plying of vessels in these waterways.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI has made several infrastructural interventions to develop waterways as a robust engine of growth.
With proactive steps like developing IWT terminals and related infrastructure, IWAI is working towards utilizing the immense potential of rivers across the country. The partnership between IWAI and the Jammu and Kashmir government is a significant step that promises to promote eco-tourism in the union territory while also stimulating the local economy.
Meanwhile IWAI has achieved record-breaking 145.5 million tonnes of cargo movement on the country’s national waterways during the fiscal year 2024-25.
The all-time high cargo movement has come along with the total number increasing from 24 to 29 during the year.
Cargo traffic on National Waterways has increased from 18.10 MMT to 145.5 MMT between FY14 and FY25, recording a compound annual growth (CAGR) of 20.86 per cent.
In FY25, traffic movement registered a growth of 9.34 per cent year-on-year from FY24.
Adequate waterways infrastructure including IWT terminals, night navigation facility and navigational locks are being developed along NWs. These initiatives are expected to boost the growth of cargo movement through National Waterways, promoting a more efficient and sustainable mode of transportation.