Inland Waterways Authority of India Key Objectives and Responsibilities

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) plays a crucial role in promoting waterborne transportation in the country. IWAI was established in 1986 under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.

Its key objectives include promoting inland waterways for transportation of goods and people, and developing infrastructure for navigation. This includes construction of river terminals, jetties, and other facilities.

IWAI is responsible for managing and regulating the use of inland waterways. It has the authority to acquire land, construct and maintain infrastructure, and regulate navigation on these waterways.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for managing and regulating India's national waterways. IWAI was established by the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985, which provides the statutory basis for its establishment and functioning.

There are 106 water bodies with a minimum length of 25 km that have been declared as national waterways. These have been classified into 3 categories based on financial viability and location, and into 8 clusters based on locations.

In the first phase, 8 national waterways of category-1 will be developed. These waterways are considered most viable. There are 60 category II NWs in coastal regions with tidal stretches, and feasibility reports for 54 of these will be delivered from May 2016 onwards.

The first national waterway, NW-1, was established in 1986 and spans 1,620 km. It includes the Prayagraj-Haldia stretch of the Ganges-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system.

The following table lists the first 5 national waterways:

IWAI is responsible for developing, regulating, and managing these national waterways. The IWAI Act, 1985, grants the IWAI the power to carry out surveys, investigations, and feasibility studies for the development of national waterways.

The Regulatory Framework for Inland Waterways is a complex system that ensures efficient, safe, and sustainable development of waterways in India. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was constituted by the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985, which provides the statutory basis for its establishment and functioning.

The IWAI has the power to carry out surveys, investigations, and feasibility studies for the development of national waterways, as specified in Section 14 of the Act. This power also allows IWAI to regulate and control the construction of infrastructure such as terminals, ports, and navigational aids on these waterways.

In 2016, the National Waterways Act declared 111 inland waterways as national waterways and placed them under the purview of IWAI for development and regulation. Section 3 of the Act specifies the jurisdiction of IWAI over these national waterways and mandates that the authority is responsible for their development, regulation, and management.

The Inland Vessels Act, 2021, is a comprehensive law governing the registration, certification, and safety of vessels plying on inland waterways. It introduces modern safety standards and a unified regulatory framework, replacing the older Inland Vessels Act of 1917.

All vessels operating on inland waterways must be registered and certified by the appropriate authorities to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards, as mandated by Section 12 of the Act.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has a significant presence across the country, with six regional offices established in various states, including Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

The IWAI operates six regional offices across India, located in Guwahati, Patna, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Varanasi.

One of the primary responsibilities of the IWAI is the development of national waterways for cargo and passenger transport, which includes dredging activities to ensure navigability and constructing terminals and jetties.

The IWAI regulates and licenses vessels operating on national waterways, ensuring that vessels meet safety standards and are properly registered and operated by licensed professionals.

Here are the key functions of the IWAI:

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining national waterways for shipping and navigation.

IWAI's primary function is to develop and maintain national waterways, which includes dredging activities to ensure navigability, constructing terminals and jetties, and installing navigational aids such as buoys and beacons.

One of the key responsibilities of IWAI is to regulate and license vessels operating on national waterways, ensuring they meet safety standards, are properly registered, and are operated by licensed professionals.

The IWAI also undertakes infrastructure projects such as terminals, jetties, and navigation aids to support the development of inland waterways.

IWAI provides technical assistance and advice to states for inland water transport development, promoting private sector participation in inland water transport projects.

Here are some of the key functions of IWAI:

IWAI operates six regional offices across India, located in Guwahati, Patna, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Varanasi.

The Varanasi Regional Office is a key part of IWAI's operations, focusing on the implementation of the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) in the River Ganga.

JMVP aims to augment the capacity of the River Ganga through various initiatives, including river conservancy works and the development of Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs).

Here are the locations of the MMTs planned under JMVP: Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia.

A new navigational lock is also being installed at Farakka in West Bengal as part of the JMVP.

The budget for Inland waterways of India is a significant aspect of its development. An amount of ₹1,117 crore (US$130 million) was spent on Inland waterways of India till 2010.

This investment is a testament to the government's commitment to developing the country's inland waterways.