IWAI achieves record cargo growth of 145.84 MMT on National Waterways

By Admin

03 Sep, 2025

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has set a new benchmark in India’s logistics landscape, achieving a historic milestone of 145.84 million metric tonnes (MMT) cargo movement on National Waterways this year. This record-breaking achievement reflects the growing importance of inland water transport in shaping India’s sustainable and efficient logistics ecosystem.

The announcement was made at the Water Voyage Northeast event by Sunil Kumar Singh, Vice Chairman and Chairman In-charge of IWAI, who emphasized the expanding role of waterborne transport in reducing logistics costs, decongesting road and rail networks, and supporting greener trade practices.

North East driving connectivity
One of the key highlights of this growth story has been the rising contribution of the North Eastern Region (NER). During FY 2024–25, over one million metric tonnes of cargo were transported through National Waterways in this region alone. This marks a significant step toward enhancing trade connectivity, fostering regional development, and bringing the Northeast closer to the mainstream economy.

Sustainable and cost-efficient logistics
The record cargo movement aligns with the government’s vision to develop inland waterways as a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation. By shifting a larger share of cargo to waterways, India not only strengthens its logistics efficiency but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions and road congestion.

A new era for India’s logistics ecosystem
With this achievement, IWAI has reinforced its role as a catalyst in transforming the way India moves its goods. As policy support, infrastructure upgrades, and regional integration efforts continue, National Waterways are poised to become a backbone of India’s multi-modal transport network, unlocking immense opportunities for trade and economic growth.