The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has engineered an unprecedented surge in the expansion of Uttar Pradesh’s waterways network, signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth over ₹6,000 crores during India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW). The monumental investment is concentrated on National Waterway-1 (NW-1), the Ganga River, marking a pivotal push to boost cargo transport, tourism, and green technology across the region.
The agreements will channel a direct investment boost of over ₹1,350 crores into Uttar Pradesh infrastructure alone. A significant portion targets tourism, with over ₹800 crores earmarked for developing new vessels and expanding premium river cruise operations in Varanasi through pacts with Heritage River Journeys and Alaknanda Cruises. Complementing this, an additional ₹200 crore investment will fund the development of two new river cruise terminals in Varanasi to enhance passenger capacity and experience.
In a move to position the state as a regional maritime services hub, IWAI secured a ₹350 crore MoU with the UP government for establishing a new ship repair facility in Varanasi. Simultaneously, the focus on sustainable operations is reinforced by a ₹100 crore MoU dedicated to rolling out electric vessel charging infrastructure, directly supporting the National Green Shipping Mission. This push for green growth is supported by a ₹200 crore initiative to establish a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Varanasi, promoting skill training in vessel design and green technologies.
Logistics capacity on the Ganga and Brahmaputra is set for a major overhaul, driven by a landmark ₹1,000 crore MoU with Rhenus Logistics to induct modern tug-barges, significantly enhancing cargo transportation. Crucially, multimodal efficiency is being addressed through a ₹1,500 crore initiative with IPRCL to advance rail connectivity for the key Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia under the PM Gati Shakti vision.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, affirmed the strategic importance, stating, “These MoUs demonstrate how inland waterways are emerging as engines of growth, tourism, and regional integration. This is a transformative moment for India’s maritime future.” With this comprehensive expansion, Uttar Pradesh is set to play a central role in India’s multimodal logistics and river tourism landscape, complementing national programs and driving sustainable growth.
