To boost the inland waterways in the country, a budget of ₹1,944 crore has been provided for the Inland Water Transport Authority of India (IWAI) in FY2025-26. This amount is 31 per cent higher than ₹1,644 crore in the revised Budget of FY 2024-25, according to the summary of budget provisions for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

IWAI primarily undertakes infrastructure development and regulation of National Waterways (NWs). The Inland Water Transport (IWT) development activities are being implemented in the NWs.

The provision includes expenditure on externally aided projects of IWAI Including implementation and commissioning of various sub-projects under Jal Marg Vikas Project. This comprises of construction of multimodal terminal at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia; construction of new navigation lock at Farakka; assured depths of 2.2 m between Varanasi and Ghazipur; 2.5 m between Ghazipur and Barh and 3 m between Barh and Haldia; development of Ro-Ro terminals and Information and communication facilities.

Chennai Port Authority

For the Chennai Port Authority, a provision for providing an interest-free loan of ₹147 crore was made in the revised Budget of FY25towards land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement activities for the new four lane elevated link road from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal.

Meanwhile, the budget allocation to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways increased to ₹3,471 crore (revenue of ₹1,709 crore and capital of ₹1,761) in FY26. This is a 21 per cent increase over the revised budget of ₹2,859 crore (revenue of ₹1,516 crore and capital of ₹1,342 crore) in FY25.

Sagarmala programme

Under the Centre’s Sagarmala programme, the provision is for development of coastal communities, development of National Maritime Heritage Complex, assistance for creation of infrastructure to promote movement of cargo/passengers by sea/National Waterways, funding of unique innovative projects.

The projects identified under Sagarmala are expected to mobilise over ₹5 lakh crore of infrastructure investment, double share of domestic waterways (inland and coastal) in the modal mix, generate logistic cost saving, boost merchandise export and create new jobs. This also includes projects for development of minor ports, the summary said.

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