To boost inland waterways in the country, ₹1,944 crore has been allotted for the Inland Water Transport Authority of India (IWAI) in the Budget for FY2025-2026. This amount is 31 per cent higher than ₹1,644 crore in the revised Budget of FY25, 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 the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
This comprises construction of multimodal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia; construction of a 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.
interest-free loan
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, 21 per cent up over the revised budget of ₹2,859 crore in FY25.
