7 months ago
Kochi Hosts Inland Waterways Development Council Meet
A big meeting about boats and ships that travel on rivers and lakes is happening in Kochi on January 23, 2026.
The meeting is called the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) and it's the third time they're having it.
The main person in charge is Sarbananda Sonowal, who is the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Other ministers from different states will also be there.
They will talk about how to make traveling on water better and sign some agreements to work together.
They will also talk about making boats that are better for the environment and how to make traveling on rivers more fun for tourists.
Kerala has some special waterways that are already working, and they will talk about making them even better.
They will also talk about building new systems for traveling on water in other parts of Kerala.
The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) will be held in Kochi on January 23, 2026.
The meeting will be chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and attended by other state ministers.
New initiatives and State Support Agreements will be launched to develop inland water transport.
The agenda includes sessions on urban water transport, cargo efficiency, green vessels, river cruise tourism, and digital practices.
Kerala has five notified National Waterways, with three currently operational, carrying 3.559 million tonne of cargo in the last five years.
- Who
- Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and other state ministers
- What
- Third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC)
- Where
- Kochi, Kerala
- When
- January 23, 2026
- Why
- To highlight achievements and outline the future vision of the Inland Water Transport sector
Key facts
- Date
- January 23, 2026
- Chairperson
- Sarbananda Sonowal
- Location
- Kochi, Kerala
- Operational Waterways in Kerala
- NW-3, NW-8, NW-9
- Total Cargo Carried in 5 Years
- 3.559 million tonne
- Total Length of Notified Waterways
- 465.89 km
- Key Projects
- Modernisation of Thrikkunnapuzha lock gate, Reconstruction of Kovilthottam foot-over bridge
- Focus Areas
- Urban water transport, Cargo efficiency, Green vessels, River cruise tourism, Digital practices
