The Budget proposes operationalising 20 new National Waterways connecting mineral-rich regions, industrial centres and ports to promote environmentally sustainable cargo movement.
The plan begins with National Waterway-5 in Odisha to link Talcher and Angul with the ports of Paradeep and Dhamra.
A ship repair ecosystem catering to inland waterways will also be developed at Varanasi and Patna.
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To encourage modal shift from rail and road, a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme will aim to increase the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047.
Training institutes will be set up as Regional Centres of Excellence to develop manpower along the waterways network.
Separately, incentives will be provided to indigenise seaplane manufacturing, and a Seaplane Viability Gap Funding scheme will support operations to enhance last-mile connectivity and tourism.
These initiatives collectively signal an expanded role for waterways in India’s logistics ecosystem.
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