The union minister of ports, shipping, and waterways has launched a digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to attract private investment in the development of national waterways infrastructure. This initiative aims to enhance the ease of doing business in inland water transport.
Besides, the National Waterways (construction of jetties/terminals) Regulations 2025, have been launched. These regulations provide a framework for private entities to construct and operate jetties and terminals across the inland water transport network. Under the new regulations, any private or public entity can develop or operate inland waterway terminals by securing a no objection certificate (NoC) from the IWAI. The rules apply to both permanent and temporary terminals whether existing or new, bringing all under a unified regulatory framework.
The first NoC has been issued through the new digital portal to Mumbai-based Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited. With an investment of about Rs 80 million, the company will develop a jetty at Malim on national waterway-68 (river Mandovi) in Goa. It is designed to berth up to 16 privately owned yachts and pleasure crafts up to 30 metres in length, and will support docking and undocking for each trip. This will boost river cruise tourism along the national waterway.