Bhubaneswar: Odisha emerged as a key beneficiary of the country’s inland waterways expansion roadmap as the third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) concluded in Kochi, Kerala, on Friday. The meeting approved major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting river-based transport, logistics and tourism across the State.
Projects worth several hundred crore rupees were cleared for Odisha as part of the Centre’s push to strengthen inland water transport as a sustainable and cost-effective logistics alternative. Among the major announcements was the construction of 25 new jetties across Odisha, forming part of a larger national plan to develop 110 jetties in Odisha and the Northeast. The initiative is expected to improve regional connectivity, support passenger movement, and enhance last-mile logistics in riverine and coastal districts.
Foundation stones were also laid for river cruise jetties in Odisha, marking a significant step towards expanding cruise tourism along the State’s waterways. Officials said the move would help position Odisha as an emerging destination on India’s river cruise circuit, generating local employment and boosting tourism-linked economic activity.
The council further approved asset procurement and navigational infrastructure that will directly benefit Odisha’s waterways, improving safety, year-round navigability, and operational efficiency. These measures are expected to strengthen multimodal logistics integration by linking waterways with road and rail networks, according to an official statement.
Addressing the meeting, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal underlined the growing role of inland waterways in India’s logistics transformation, noting that rivers are increasingly being viewed as economic assets rather than just natural resources.
In a post on X, he said the expansion of inland water transport would help reduce congestion on roads and railways, lower logistics costs, and promote cleaner modes of transport.
Officials said Odisha’s extensive river network offers strong potential for cargo movement, passenger transport, and tourism-led development. With inland waterways being among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly transport modes, the projects are expected to contribute to reduced carbon emissions while opening new livelihood opportunities for riverine communities.
The meeting also reviewed the sector’s rapid growth over the past decade, with cargo movement on national waterways rising sharply and the number of operational waterways expanding significantly. Odisha’s planned infrastructure additions are aligned with the government’s broader priorities of deploying green vessels, strengthening digital navigation systems, and promoting sustainable transport solutions.
