Kochi: The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0), chaired by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, concluded today in Kochi with a major focus on transforming Odisha into a hub for river-led economic growth and sustainable logistics.
During the session, the Ministry unveiled a comprehensive roadmap involving projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore to accelerate green mobility and multimodal connectivity across India. A significant portion of these initiatives is dedicated to Odisha, reinforcing the state’s strategic importance in the National Waterway (NW) network.
As part of the nationwide push to expand cruise tourism and cargo movement, foundation stones were laid for several river cruise jetties in Odisha. These projects, part of a ₹150 crore immediate investment package, aim to create dedicated cruise circuits that will link Odisha’s scenic riverine landscapes to the broader national tourism map.
Furthermore, the Council announced the construction of 110 new jetties across the country, with Odisha set to receive 25 of these facilities. This infrastructure is expected to provide the “last-mile” connectivity required for both passenger movement and local trade, particularly in regions served by the Brahmani and Mahanadi river systems.
The meeting highlighted the progress of the ₹12,200 crore investment plan for National Waterway-5 (NW-5) and National Waterway-64 (NW-64). These projects are designed to facilitate the seamless transportation of bulk commodities, such as coal from the Talcher coalfields to Paradip and Dhamra ports. By shifting cargo from road and rail to water, the initiative aims to reduce logistics costs by nearly 30% and significantly lower carbon emissions.
The Union Minister also emphasized the deployment of hybrid electric vessels to promote eco-friendly transport. Odisha is poised to benefit from the ‘Jalvahak’ Cargo Promotion Scheme, which provides financial incentives to shippers choosing waterways over traditional land routes. The scheme is expected to encourage private sector participation through the ‘Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha’ (IWCOL), a special purpose vehicle tasked with implementing these large-scale infrastructure projects.
These developments align with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, seeking to increase India’s inland water cargo throughput from the current 146 million tonnes to over 500 million tonnes by 2047. For Odisha, these projects represent a shift toward a blue economy that leverages its extensive river network for industrial growth and environmental sustainability.