India is strengthening navigation safety across its inland waterways through hydrographic surveys, digital navigation platforms and new infrastructure. This includes the country’s first four river-lighthouses, established on the Brahmaputra River.
India has 111 national waterways spread across 23 states and four union territories, 32 of which are currently operational. Freight transport on inland waterways has grown from 29 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2014–15 to 218 MMT in 2025–26. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.13%, which exceeds the 200 MMT target set under the ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’.
These initiatives aim to improve navigation safety, enable round-the-clock vessel movement and support the growing volume of cargo transported through India’s inland waterways.
Hydrographic Surveys and Navigation Infrastructure
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) conducts hydrographic surveys to assess river depths, map riverbeds and identify shallow stretches that may affect vessel movement. These surveys help determine the Least Available Depth (LAD), which influences vessel draft, cargo capacity and route planning, while guiding dredging and fairway maintenance.
As of September 2026, regular thalweg surveys covered 22 National Waterways, with monitoring conducted weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on requirements.
Navigation aids also support safer vessel movement. On National Waterway-3 in Kerala, 312 solar-powered lighted fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) buoys and 17 beacon lamp posts support round-the-clock navigation.
Brahmaputra to Get India’s First Riverine Lighthouses
India is developing its first four riverine lighthouses at Pandu, Bogibeel, Silghat and Biswanath Ghat along the Brahmaputra, designated National Waterway-2 (NW-2). The project was launched with foundation-stone ceremonies in March 2026.
These lighthouses will be 20 meters tall, with a geographical range of 14 nautical miles and a luminous range of 8–10 nautical miles. They will be powered by solar energy and equipped with weather-monitoring sensors to assist with navigation and safety.
NW-2 stretches 891 km from Dhubri to Sadiya in Assam, supporting freight transport, passenger services and tourism, as well as supply chains for tea, coal and fertilisers. Cargo movement on the waterway increased from 0.90 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2024–25 to 1.29 MMT in 2025–26. There are also plans to develop museums, amphitheaters, cafeterias, children’s play areas, and other public amenities within lighthouse complexes.
Digital Platforms Improve Real-Time Navigation
By September 2026, Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for 18 operational and tidal waterways had been prepared and uploaded to platforms such as the Portal for Asset and Navigation Information (PANI) and the IWAI Vessel Tracker. These digital services provide access to navigation routes, depth information and the tracking of vessels.
Launched in 2025, ‘Naudarshika’ assists in river traffic management by utilizing real-time navigation information, including Least Available Depth (LAD) data. On National Waterway-1, ‘River Information Services’ (RIS) cover three stretches of the Ganga: Haldia–Farakka, Farakka–Patna and Patna–Varanasi. This network comprises four control stations, 13 base stations, vessel-tracking equipment, communication systems and weather sensors; additionally, RIS consoles have been installed on 30 departmental vessels.
Together, these measures are helping to strengthen navigation safety, improve operational planning and support more reliable inland water transport as cargo traffic increases.
(PIB)
