Lok Sabha Question No. 217 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Waterways Development Council 3.0
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *217

ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026

## WATERWAYS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 3.0

*217.   SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a)  whether  the  Waterways  Development  Council  (WDC)  3.0  has  approved  projects  worth approximately Rs.15,000 crore, if so, the details thereof; (b)  the  details  of  the  projects  approved,  including  their  nature,  locations  and  estimated  cost alongwith the National Waterways covered under the said projects, State-wise; (c) whether the Union Government/WDC has held any consultation with the State Governments or other stakeholders in this regard and if so, the details thereof; (d) the names of the operational projects and the time by which the said projects are likely to be completed; (e)  the  likely  impact  of  the  said  projects  on  cargo  movement,  logistics  efficiency,  employment generation and tourism in the country; and (f) the measures taken/being taken to ensure timely execution and environmental sustainability of

- the said projects?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to(f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO.  *217  FOR  ANSWER  ON  13.02.2026  RAISED  BY  SHRI  CHAVAN RAVINDRA  VASANTRAO  AND  SHRI  SUDHEER  GUPTA,  HON'BLE  MPS  REGARDING 'WATERWAYS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 3.0'

- (a), (b) and (d) During the 3 rd meeting of Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC3.0) held  on  23.01.2026  at  Kochi,  Kerala,  the  projects  worth  Rs.  1,515  Cr.  were  identified.The details of the projectsare given at Annexure.
- (c)   All these projects have been plannedin consultation with the respective State Governments and Stakeholders at various forums including IWDC.
- (e)  Impacts  of  the  projects  are:  (i)  Boosting  Cargo  and  Cruise  movement  (ii)  Enhancing Navigability and Terminal Operations (iii) Improving Passenger and Vehicular Movement (iv) Expanding Cruise Tourism Network and (v) Thrust to Regional Logistics and Connectivity in various regions.
- (f)   The projects are being or will be implemented through time-bound action plans with clear milestones. Timely execution is ensured through regular reviewsby Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and theInland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the MoPSW.It is also ensured through coordination with State Governments and other stakeholders. Environmental sustainability is ensured by carrying out environmental and social  impact  assessments, obtaining statutory clearances wherever  required, adopting ecofriendly  construction  practicesand  continuous  monitoring  for  compliance  of  environmental regulations.

## Annexure

As referred to in reply to Part (a), (b) and (d) ofLok Sabha Starred Question *217 for answer on 13.02.2026  raised by Shri ChavanRavindraVasantrao and Shri Sudheer Gupta, Hon'ble MPs regarding 'Waterways Development Council 3.0'

| Sl. No.                    | Project                           | Value (In Rs. Crore)       | National Waterway                                 | Location / State                              | Expected completion         |
|----------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Laying of Foundation Stone | Laying of Foundation Stone        | Laying of Foundation Stone | Laying of Foundation Stone                        | Laying of Foundation Stone                    | Laying of Foundation Stone  |
| 1                          | River Cruise Jetties              | 51.00                      | NW-3, NW-4, NW- 100, NW- 14, NW-64, NW- 51 &NW-90 | Kerala, Gujarat, Odisha & Telangana           | October, 2026               |
| 2                          | Ro-Ro / Cargo Terminal            | 19.00                      | NW-4                                              | Muktyala&Harishchandrapuram, Andhra Pradesh   | October, 2026 & March, 2027 |
| 3                          | Onshore Facilities                | 80.00                      | NW-49                                             | Jammu & Kashmir                               | March, 2027                 |
|                            | Sub Total                         | 150                        |                                                   |                                               |                             |
| Asset Procurement          | Asset Procurement                 | Asset Procurement          | Asset Procurement                                 | Asset Procurement                             | Asset Procurement           |
| 1                          | 1 Survey Vessel                   | 3.15                       | NW-3                                              | Kerala                                        | December, 2026              |
| 2                          | 4 Ro-Pax jetties                  | 10.10                      | NW-1                                              | Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal                | April, 2026                 |
| 3                          | 20 Pontoons                       | 55.10                      | NW-1                                              | Bihar & West Bengal                           | September, 2026             |
| 4                          | 8 Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism | 80.61                      | NW-1                                              | Uttar Pradesh & Bihar                         | August, 2027                |
| 5                          | 4 Hybrid Survey Vessels           | 41.51                      | NW-1                                              | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal | February, 2027              |
| 6                          | 8 Amphibian Dredgers              | 81.00                      | NW-1                                              | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal | June, 2027                  |
| 7                          | 4 Cutter Suction                  | 130.99                     | NW-1                                              | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal | November, 2027              |

|               | Dredgers                                   |               |                                 |                                               |                |
|---------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 8             | 3 sets of Tug-Barge Units                  | 62.54         | NW-1                            | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal | April, 2028    |
|               | Sub Total                                  | 465           |                                 |                                               |                |
| Announcements | Announcements                              | Announcements | Announcements                   | Announcements                                 | Announcements  |
| 1             | Slipway Facility                           | 50.00         | NW-3                            | Kochi, Kerala                                 | December, 2027 |
| 2             | Approach Road                              | 144.00        | NW -2                           | Bogibeel, Assam                               | March, 2028    |
| 3             | 110 Jetties                                | 496.00        | NW-5, NW-22, NW-64 & NWs in NER | Odisha & North Eastern States                 | April, 2028    |
| 4             | Cruise Terminal                            | 70.00         | NW-2                            | Uzzan Bazar, Assam                            | April, 2028    |
| 5             | 10 Hybrid Electric vessels                 | 76.00         | NW-49                           | Jammu & Kashmir                               | December, 2026 |
| 6             | National River Traffic & Navigation System | 64.00         | NW-28                           | Maharashtra                                   | March, 2027    |
|               | Sub Total                                  | 900           |                                 |                                               |                |
|               | Grand Total                                | 1515          |                                 |                                               |                |

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