Archive · 22 Jan 2026
IWDC Meet to Boost Inland Waterways Growth
A big meeting about boats and rivers is happening in Kochi on January 23.
Important people from the government will talk about how to make traveling on rivers better and more eco-friendly.
They will discuss making rivers stronger for carrying goods and people, and also about making river trips more fun for tourists.
India has many rivers that are used for transport, and this meeting will help plan how to use them even more in the future.
Andhra Pradesh will focus on improving the Krishna-Godavari river system and adding new boat terminals and tourist boats.
The third Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting will be held in Kochi on January 23.
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal will chair the meeting, with ministers from various states in attendance.
The meeting aims to review achievements in inland water transport and plan future growth.
State support agreements are likely to be signed to reinforce Centre-state collaboration for faster execution of projects.
Andhra Pradesh will focus on strengthening the Krishna-Godavari river system and promoting river cruise tourism.
- Who
- Union shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal, minister of state Shantanu Thakur, ministers from various states, Andhra Pradesh roads minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy
- What
- Third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) to review achievements and plan future growth of inland water transport
- When
- January 23
- Where
- Kochi
- Why
- To strengthen inland water transport, sign state support agreements, and provide a roadmap for sustainable expansion of inland waterways
- Date
- January 23
- Location
- Kochi
- Chairperson
- Sarbananda Sonowal
- Cargo Movement
- 145.84 million tonnes (2024–25)
- Passenger Traffic
- 7.64 crore
- Operational Waterways
- 32 out of 111
- Key Focus Areas
- Urban water transport, cargo efficiency, green vessels, river cruise tourism, digital practices