<h4 data-path-to-node="3"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">NEW DELHI — Strategic Framework Unveiled to Mobilize Capital, Accelerate Modal Shift, and Boost Industrial Connectivity Across India’s Water Highway Network</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="4">In a major policy push to accelerate private sector participation and strengthen the country’s domestic multimodal freight ecosystem, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, officially detailed the regulatory framework under the <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="258">National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations</b>.&nbsp;</p><p data-path-to-node="4">The comprehensive mandate, formulated by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), establishes a standardized, digitized pathway for private, public, and joint-venture entities to build, operate, and maintain cargo and passenger terminals across declared National Waterways (NWs) nationwide.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="6"><b data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="0">Key Highlights of the Regulatory Mandate &amp; Operational Framework</b></h3><ol start="1" data-path-to-node="7"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Digital No Objection Certificate (NoC) Pipeline:</b>

To eliminate procedural friction and promote Ease of Doing Business, IWAI has operationalized a centralized digital portal where project developers can apply for and receive NOCs. Applications are processed by a dedicated IWAI Appraisal Committee to ensure rapid technical and environmental clearances.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Categorization &amp; Lifetime Tenure Options:</b></p><ul data-path-to-node="7,1,1"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Permanent Terminals:</b> Developers securing NOCs for permanent riverine terminals are granted operational rights for the full economic lifespan of the infrastructure asset, provided commercial operations commence within five years of certificate issuance.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Temporary Installations:</b> Temporary floating jetties and modular terminals receive an initial 5-year operating permit, renewable upon formal review.</p></li></ul></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Access Channel &amp; First-to-Last-Mile Integration:</b>

Private terminal developers are empowered to design, finance, and construct dedicated access channels linking their facilities directly to main navigational waterways at their own cost. Infrastructure plans must integrate with the <b data-path-to-node="7,2,0" data-index-in-node="280">PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan</b> to ensure seamless road-rail-waterway intermodal connectivity.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Financial Incentives Under the Jalvahak Scheme:</b>

To encourage cargo owners and freight forwarders to migrate bulk and containerized commodities from congested highway and rail corridors to inland waterways, the Ministry is offering direct financial reimbursements of up to <b data-path-to-node="7,3,0" data-index-in-node="272">35% of operational expenditure</b> under the flagship Jalvahak Scheme for voyages exceeding 300 km.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Single-Window Vessel &amp; Crew Registration via Jalyan &amp; Navic Portal:</b>

Supporting the terminal expansion, the government confirmed that its unified <b data-path-to-node="7,4,0" data-index-in-node="145">Jalyan &amp; Navic</b> digital registry is now fully operational across 18 States and Union Territories, recording over 9,950 registered inland vessels and 1,215 certified crew members to streamline vessel callings at private and public berths.</p></li></ol><h3 data-path-to-node="9"><b data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Economic Impact &amp; Future Waterway Expansion Goals</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="10">India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector has experienced exponential growth over the past decade, expanding cargo handling volumes from 18 million tonnes to over 133 million tonnes annually. With logistics costs in India historically averaging around 14% of GDP, migrating heavy bulk commodities—such as coal, steel, cement, fertilizers, and agricultural produce—to waterways offers a cost-effective, low-emission alternative that cuts carbon footprints and alleviates highway congestion.</p><p data-path-to-node="11">"By opening the terminal construction and management sector to private capital under clear, long-term concession models and digital governance, we are transforming our 20,000-kilometer national waterway network into an active economic engine," stated Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. "This regulatory certainty, combined with operational incentives like the Jalvahak Scheme, directly aligns with our Amrit Kaal 2047 vision to establish a green, resilient, and globally competitive logistics grid."</p>