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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Unveils Digital Portal to Strengthen National Waterways Management.

App and Web Portal | Dated: 11 Apr 2025

In April 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) launched a new digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The portal is designed to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - This initiative aims to attract private sector participation in the development and modernization of inland waterways across India. The launch event was attended by Vijay Kumar, Chairman of IWAI, along with other senior officials from IWAI and MoPSW.
  • - During the launch event of the new digital portal, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduced the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025. These newly established regulations aim to encourage private investment in developing jetties and terminals along India’s extensive network of National Waterways (NWs).
  • - The new framework allows both private and public sector entities to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This certificate is mandatory for developing or operating an inland waterway terminal, thereby streamlining the entry of new players into the IWT sector.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The regulations are designed to be inclusive, covering both new and existing terminals—whether permanent or temporary—under a single, unified framework. This ensures standardization and transparency in terminal development and operations on national waterways.
  • (ii) A significant milestone at the event was the issuance of the first-ever digital NoC through the portal to Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited (MIIPL), based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This marked the first time a private company received an NoC to construct a terminal on any National Waterway.
  • (iii) MIIPL will establish a jetty at Malim on river Mandovi (National Waterway-68) in Goa. With an investment of around Rs 8 crore (USD 96,000), the jetty will be capable of berthing up to 16 privately-owned yachts and pleasure crafts with a length of up to 30 meters, boosting tourism and marine infrastructure in the region.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Who recently launched the digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to invite private investment in National Waterways infrastructure?

Correct Answer: Sarbananda Sonowal

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

  • Chairman : Vijay Kumar
  • Headquarters : Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP)