Latest news with #NationalWaterways
NDTV
16 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
India's River Cruise Tourism Rises, 51 New Circuits Planned By 2027
New Delhi: India's river cruise tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by robust policy support, enhanced infrastructure, and increasing interest from global operators. In 2024-25, cruise voyages on National Waterways rose to 443, marking a 19.4% increase from 371 in the previous year. This uptick highlights the growing appeal and viability of inland water-based tourism in India. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is spearheading transformative initiatives to position India as a global river cruise hub. One of the most ambitious of these is the Cruise Bharat Mission, which targets the development of 51 new river cruise circuits across 47 National Waterways in 14 states and 3 union territories by 2027. A major highlight is the announcement of Viking Cruises' entry into India, with the launch of Viking Brahmaputra, an 80-guest river cruise vessel to be built indigenously by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kolkata. Scheduled to begin operations in late 2027 on National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra River), it marks a significant milestone in attracting foreign investment and showcasing India's cruise potential on the global stage. Since 2013-14, when only five cruise vessels operated on three waterways, the sector has expanded to 25 vessels on 13 national waterways as of 2024-25. Noteworthy cruise circuits such as the Sundarbans (West Bengal), Brahmaputra (Assam), and Alappuzha (Kerala) are attracting growing numbers of tourists. One of the sector's landmark achievements was the MV Ganga Vilas voyage, the world's longest river cruise, covering 3,200 km across five Indian states and Bangladesh. Flagged off by PM Modi in 2023, it now features in the Limca Book of Records. To further boost this growth, IWAI is working closely with state governments. Recent Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed with Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir to develop cruise tourism on rivers such as the Narmada, Yamuna, Jhelum, Ravi, and Chenab. Major cruise terminals are also planned in Varanasi, Guwahati, Patna, and Kolkata, with four additional terminals in the Northeast at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan. With a clear goal to triple the number of cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million, the Cruise Bharat Mission is ushering in a new era of eco-friendly, culturally rich, and economically vibrant river tourism in India.
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Kerala plans two-day cruise along West Coast waterways from Kovalam to Bekal
KOCHI: How about a cruise tour along Kerala's stunning waterways, all the way from Kovalam in the south to Bekal in the north? The state government plans to roll out a two-day cruise trip along the 590-km West Coast waterways, for which a specially designed AC cruise vessel is under construction. The 21-seater electric boat will be ready by the time the first phase of the ambitious West Coast waterways project — a 235-km stretch from Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to Chettuva in Thrissur — is commissioned later this year. If everything goes well, authorities plan to start operating the vessel till Chettuva this year itself, and gradually extend the trip in line with the project's progress. 'The cruise vessel will offer an unforgettable experience to tourists. One of the highlights will be the journey through the tunnels at Chilakoor and Sivagiri in Varkala, during which travellers can enjoy immersive light and sound shows played via an on-board projector,' said a senior official with the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The first phase of the Kovalam-Bekal West Coast waterway will be commissioned in another four months, said the official, adding that the work, including dredging, in this section is nearing completion 'The on-board projector will start automatically when the boat enters the Varkala tunnel to entertain visitors with a light and sound show,' the official said. The two-day tour package will see the boat halting at five destinations at least, and these will be developed as tourist spots. 'The Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) is manufacturing the vessel,' he said. An official with the Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), the special purpose vehicle under Cochin International Airport Ltd and roped in by the government for the National Waterways project, said tourism will benefit the most once the 235-km stretch of the waterways is commissioned.
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announces major infra push to boost Inland Waterways in Bihar
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 16 (ANI): Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a major infra push to boost Inland Waterways in Bihar, reaffirming the collective effort to rejuvenate rivers in the country, especially the National Waterways. He said that Inland Water Transport (IWT) was an environmentally sustainable mode of transport. The announcements were made at the inaugural session of the Consultative Workshop on Inland Waterways Development on National Waterways-1 (river Ganga), the first such workshop held in Patna on Monday. Speaking at the workshop, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, 'Today, at this Consultative Workshop, we reaffirm our collective effort to rejuvenate our rivers, especially the National Waterways, to become engines of our future growth, not merely a relic of our past. IWT is the cleanest, most cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable mode of transport.' Setting the context for the rejuvenation of the river Ganga, Union Minister Sonowal said, 'I bow with reverence to the sacred river Ganga -- the eternal source of life, civilisation, and spiritual energy in this land. In her flowing waters lie centuries of culture, wisdom, livelihood, and continuity. Ganga is not just a river; she is the heartbeat of the Indian subcontinent. And today, as we gather in Patna -- a city nurtured by her embrace -- we renew our resolve to align this sacred river with the nation's modern journey of growth and transformation.' Sarbananda Sonowal announced major initiative in infrastructure development to boost inland waterways in Bihar. Sonowal said, 'Patna is being considered for the introduction of a Water Metro, replicating the successful Kochi Water Metro model, either full or in part, depending upon geographical condition. The proposed system aims to connect both banks of the river and offer a clean, efficient, and modern urban mobility solution for the capital city. In addition, a Ship Repair Facility will be set up in Patna to support a robust inland vessel ecosystem. Apart from repair, this facility will also be equipped to construct new ships. These developments mark a significant step in revitalising River Ganga as a lifeline for sustainable urban transport and align with national efforts to promote eco-friendly, river-centric development.' The Union Minister also announced setting up a Joint Task Force among the Bihar Government, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and IWAI to explore sustainable development opportunities on the Ganga (NW-1) in Bihar. Patna-based National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) is being upgraded as Centre of Excellence (CoE) with fresh investment for the upgradation of facilities and adding newer ones. NINI is the premier national institution in the field of inland water navigation. In order to give a boost to passenger movement on NW-1 (Ganga), Sonowal announced, 'The Narendra Modi government is committed to transforming inland water transport into a reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly mode of transportation for the people of Bihar. With 16 new community jetties, in addition to the existing 21 community jetties in the state, being developed across key districts, local farmers, traders, and small businesses will gain direct access to river-based markets. The Patna is set to become a logistics hub for northern Bihar and the Kalughat Terminal for Nepal-bound trade, seamlessly integrating with road and rail networks.' 'The deployment of Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs) at FOUR locations and TWO Ro-Pax terminals, along with TWO hybrid electric catamaran vessels, ensures a smooth, green, and affordable journey for passengers. These efforts reflect the Modi government's vision of a cleaner, greener, and more connected Bihar through sustainable inland waterways. These announcements are not just policy statements. They are a declaration of our intent -- that Bihar, blessed by Ganga, will become a leading hub for inland water-based commerce, tourism, and innovation. With this infrastructure, Patna will emerge as the Water Transport Hub on the river Ganga (NW 1),' he added. Highlighting the progress of Inland Waterways since 2014 under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Sonowal said, 'Inland Waterways have undergone a remarkable transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Cargo movement has grown by over 700 per cent, with operational waterways increasing nearly ninefold (over 800 per cent) and investments rising fivefold (510 per cent) since 2014. This sector is now a vital pillar of our multimodal logistics strategy, offering a clean, cost-effective alternative to road and rail for transporting heavy and bulk cargo. The rise in river cruise routes -- a handsome growth of 333 per cent since 2013 -- also reflects the growing tourism potential of our national waterways.' The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), approved in January 2018 at a cost of Rs 5,061.15 crore, aims to develop National Waterway-1 (Haldia to Varanasi) over a 1,390 km stretch with assured depth and width for smooth navigation. As of May 2025, the project is 68.86 per cent physically complete, with traffic increasing 220 per cent from 5.05 MMT in 2014-15 to 16.38 MMT in 2024-25. With environmental safeguards like zero liquid discharge, bio-toilets, and pingers to protect Gangetic dolphins. Key components of JMVP include the development of cargo terminals, fairway maintenance along the Varanasi to Haldia stretch of NW-1, and navigational locks that reduce vessel transit time. The project also features community jetties supporting daily footfall of up to 1.22 lakh passengers, cargo aggregation hubs to lower logistics costs, and Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOM) to minimise delays. It further includes facilities like a ship repair hub, a cruise terminal, and training infrastructure to support the growing inland waterways ecosystem. India's inland waterways sector has witnessed a remarkable transformation under the Narendra Modi government, expanding from just three (03) operational National Waterways (NW) in 2014 to 29 operational NWs across 11 states today. A total of 111 NWs have been declared, spanning 23 States and 4 Union Territories with a cumulative navigable length of 20,187 km. To support this growing network, 124 terminals--including 27 permanent and 97 floating terminals--are now operational. Cargo movement on national waterways reached 145.84 million tonnes in FY 2024-25, growing at a CAGR of 20.89 per cent since 2014. In FY-25, 85 per cent of the cargo comprised coal, iron ore, coke, sand, fly ash, vehicles, passengers, limestone, clinker, and cement, highlighting inland waterways as a key mode for bulk and heavy freight. IWAI is currently conducting 10,000 km of longitudinal surveys per month to assess Least Available Depth (LAD), with coverage set to expand from 11 states in FY24 to 22 states and 4 UTs by FY27. Reflecting the sector's growing significance, projects worth Rs 35,000 crore project pipeline--including PPP initiatives--has been prepared for the next five years. The government's commitment is further underscored by a 48 per cent increase in the annual budget, rising from Rs 1,203 crore in FY24 to Rs 1,752 crore in FY25. Top officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and the Government of Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, among others, were also present at the inaugural session of the consultive workshop. (ANI)
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Rhenus signs MoU with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
MUMBAI, INDIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 May 2025 - Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), leading global logistics service provider, the Rhenus Group, will operate barge services in various National Waterways in India. In the first phase, Rhenus will introduce push boats and 20 flat bottom barges from Germany with a capacity of 400 tonnes, which can be combined to transport up to 1,200 tonnes per trip. As demand grows, Rhenus India will scale its fleet to 100 barges and expand its corridors across the Indian subcontinent. The partnership with IWAI aims to contribute towards building a resilient multi-modal logistics ecosystem in India, with the eventual goal of carrying over a million tonnes of cargo per year by 2025. The MoU was signed at the IWAI office on 5 May 2025 and the formal exchange of the MoU took place in the presence of the Hon'ble Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal on 6 May 2025. The Minister's presence underscored the government's strong commitment to strengthening inland waterways as a key pillar of India's logistics ecosystem. Rhenus is proud to support India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and lead the way in shaping the future of sustainable logistics and contribute to India's logistics transformation. With over 14,500 kilometers of navigable waterways, including 111 National Waterways, India's Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector, which is governed by IWAI, has seen significant growth. Cargo volumes have increased from 30 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) in 2014 to 133 MMTPA in 2024. Rhenus India will introduce its Inland Waterways Transport solutions: barge scheduled services that will facilitate cargo transport on two Indian rivers, the Ganga River and the Brahmaputra River. These sustainable and cost-effective logistics solutions will allow for seamless cargo movements across India and beyond. In this venture, Rhenus is expanding its existing expertise for port operation and inland navigation from Europe to India. To start, Rhenus India intends to operate barge services on National Waterways NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route (IBP), with plans to gradually scale up to include other national waterways in the country. A combination of pushers and barges, to suit low-draft navigation in the waterways, will be used to transport both Bulk and Break-Bulk cargo across North & East India, North-East India, and subsequently neighbouring countries. With 1,000 vessels in operations daily on all navigable waterways in Europe, Rhenus will now tap into its Port Logistics experience, in particular in European inland navigation, as well as resources from its European Waterways fleet to further support India's IWT sector. In Europe, Rhenus has been active in the inland navigation sector since its foundation year 1912. With barge shipping as its core competency, the Rhenus Group built its company and service portfolio around its logistics activities along the Rhine River and diversified them to include air and ocean freight, warehousing, road freight as well as rail, over time, becoming a worldwide logistics solutions provider. Vivek Arya, CEO of Rhenus Logistics India & Global CEO of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Intercontinental, said, "With over 100 years of dedicated expertise in inland waterway operations across Europe, Rhenus is excited to partner with IWAI in this transformative journey to create a smarter, greener and more economical logistics network. Recognizing the immense potential of India's inland waterways, we are committed to adapt our best practices to suit the Indian environment and contribute towards seamless waterway movement through our innovative solutions." Michael de Reese, Division Head of Rhenus Port Logistics, added, "Inland navigation is the backbone of the producing economy in Germany as well as in Europe. With our expertise and our broad experience in mastering challenges such as infrastructure construction, varying water levels and the training of a reliable expert workforce, we can support the growing Indian economy together with the IWAI." Hashtag: #Rhenus The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Rhenus The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 8.2 billion. 41,000 employees work at 1,330 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times. Rhenus
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Germany's Rhenus Group to run 100 barges on India's inland waterways
In what could be a major driver for India's underutilised inland waterways sector, one of Europe's largest riverine operators, Rhenus Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to operate 100 barges on Indian rivers. 'As part of the MoU, Rhenus will introduce 100 barges in a phased manner on national waterways, with 20 barges and six pushers to be deployed in the first phase, targeting the movement of more than one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025. The MoU will introduce inland waterways transport solutions and barge scheduled services. This will be scaled up to 100 barges within a few years to cover more national waterways under its ambit,' a statement by the shipping ministry said. The Group's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tobias Bartz, had told Business Standard in October 2024 that the company intended to invest at least $100 million in India's fledgling rivers for cargo operations — particularly project cargo. At the onset, Rhenus will operate on National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak), as well as the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. These operations will facilitate the movement of bulk and break-bulk cargo across North, East and Northeast India, with gradual expansion to other national waterways. 'Leveraging Rhenus' expertise in European inland navigation and a global fleet of over 1,100 barges, the partnership aims to integrate global best practices into the Indian IWT ecosystem. A combination of pushers and barges suited to low-draft navigation will be used to transport both bulk and break-bulk cargo,' the ministry said. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the ministry, through such initiatives, is focused on unlocking the full potential of inland water transport as a national growth engine powering the hinterland towards sustainable development and vigorous growth.
