Navigating India’s Waterways: Building a Safer, Smarter Network
PIB Backgrounder · Infrastructure · Posted 16 OCT 2026 12:07PM
What happened
India is expanding its inland water transport network by upgrading navigation infrastructure, including hydrographic surveys, Least Available Depth (LAD) monitoring, and deploying India's first riverine lighthouses on the Brahmaputra river. Cargo movement across 111 National Waterways reached 218 MMT in 2025-26, driven by digital platforms like PANI and enhanced aids to navigation.
Why it matters for UPSC
This press release is significant for UPSC GS Paper III as it highlights the development, modernization, and economic potential of inland water transport infrastructure, enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in India.
Key objectives
- Established India's first four riverine lighthouses on the Brahmaputra (National Waterway-2) at Pandu, Bogibeel, Silghat, and Biswanath Ghat under a ₹74-crore project.
- Cargo movement on inland waterways grew to 218 MMT in 2025–26, surpassing the Maritime India Vision 2030 target of 200 MMT.
- Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) have been prepared for 18 operational and tidal waterways and uploaded on portals like PANI and IWAI Vessel Tracker.