Uttar Pradesh is stepping into a new era of Inland Waterways development, with major agreements worth over ₹6,000 crores signed during India Maritime Week 2025. These MoUs, led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), aim to transform the Ganga NW1 corridor into a strong route for cargo transport, tourism, clean-energy mobility, and maritime services.
This massive expansion will bring new UP Water Transport opportunities, more jobs, greener travel options, and a stronger logistics network for the state.
₹6,000+ Crores MoUs Signed for Ganga (NW1)
IWAI, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), announced multiple collaborations focusing on:
- River Cruise Tourism
- Cargo Movement Expansion
- Ship Repair Infrastructure
- Green Energy Transport
- Multimodal Connectivity
Together, these commitments will greatly strengthen the Inland Waterways system in Uttar Pradesh and support long-term economic growth.
₹1,350 Crore Investment Boost for UP
Out of the total MoUs signed at IMW 2025, IWAI announced that ₹1,350 crores will directly support the upgrade of Ganga NW1, especially in Varanasi. This includes terminals, cruise infrastructure, vessel services, and clean-energy systems all shaping UP into a fast-growing UP Water Transport hub.
Cruise Tourism Set to Grow Strongly
To expand River Cruise Tourism along the Ganga, IWAI signed key MoUs with:
1. Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd.
- Develop new cruise vessels
- Launch new circuits
- Expand operations across Ganga NW1
- Investment: Part of ₹800 crores earmarked for cruise tourism
2. Alaknanda Cruises
- Strengthening premium cruise experiences
- Enhancing heritage routes in Varanasi
- Supporting smooth vessel operations on Ganga NW1
These partnerships will boost River Cruise Tourism, create local jobs, and attract domestic and international travellers to Varanasi.
New Cruise Terminals to Be Built in Varanasi
Two new cruise terminals, costing ₹200 crores, will be developed in Varanasi. These terminals will:
- Improve passenger comfort
- Support rising tourist traffic
- Provide modern amenities
- Improve vessel handling capacity
With this upgrade, Varanasi is set to become one of India’s most vibrant Inland Waterways tourism hubs.
Ship Repair Facility: A Major Maritime Win for UP
One of the most important MoUs includes the development of a new ship repair facility in Varanasi.
- Investment: ₹350 crores
- Led by: IWAI & UP Government
This facility will provide:
- Maintenance and repair services for vessels
- Quick turnaround times for cargo and cruise ships
- Local employment opportunities
- Growth of maritime-related technical skills
The project strengthens UP’s position as a regional maritime services hub and boosts long-term IWAI Projects.
Green Mobility Push: Electric Charging Infrastructure
A dedicated ₹100 crore MoU will create electric charging stations for vessels along Ganga NW1.
This supports:
- India’s National Green Shipping Mission
- Low-emission vessel movement
- Clean and sustainable UP Water Transport systems
The vision is to make river transport cleaner, future-ready, and environment-friendly.
Modern Cargo Movement: Tug-Barge Induction with Rhenus
A major MoU worth ₹1,000 crores was signed with Rhenus Logistics to induct modern tug-barges for cargo movement on:
- Ganga NW1
- Brahmaputra NW2
This will:
- Improve cargo capacity
- Lower logistics costs
- Connect India’s East and Northeast regions
- Strengthen multimodal transport routes
This MoU is expected to be a gamechanger for Inland Waterways logistics.
Skill Development: Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE)
A new Regional Centre of Excellence will be set up in Varanasi with an investment of ₹200 crores. Its purpose:
- Train professionals in vessel operations
- Promote research on green technologies
- Develop river navigation skills
- Support innovation in IWAI Projects
The centre will help students, marine officers, and industry innovators, making UP a talent hub for the Inland Waterways sector.
Dredging & Connectivity: Strengthening the Backbon
1. Dredging Works Supervision
- IWAI + NTCPWC of IIT Madras
- Investment: ₹1,500 crores
- Purpose: Ensure smooth depth and navigation on Ganga NW1
2. Rail Connectivity for Terminals
An MoU with IPRCL will prepare DPRs and PMC services for rail links at:
- Varanasi
- Sahibganj
- Haldia
Investment: ₹1,500 crores
Better rail connectivity will help create a seamless cargo corridor across India.
Also read: India Pushes Shipbuilding Growth – New Global Call at Samudra Utkarsh
Strong Political Push Behind the Vision
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the MoUs show India’s strong push to modernize river systems. He highlighted that these agreements:
- Support tourism and growth
- Strengthen regional integration
- Align with India’s maritime future
MoS Shantanu Thakur added that these IWAI Projects reflect the transformation of inland waterways under PM Modi’s vision, empowering UP to become a major river-based logistics centre.
Officials from MoPSW and IWAI also emphasized that these partnerships will build a resilient, sustainable maritime ecosystem across the state.
UP’s Role in National Maritime Vision
With these MoUs, Uttar Pradesh becomes a central player in:
- Sagarmala
- Maritime India Vision 2030
- Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
As Ganga NW1 expands, UP’s role in multimodal logistics, tourism, green mobility, and skill development will grow rapidly.
Conclusion
The large-scale investments signed during India Maritime Week 2025 represent a turning point for Uttar Pradesh’s Inland Waterways development. With new cruise terminals, ship repair facilities, electric charging stations, dredging, multimodal connectivity, and cargo expansion projects the state is ready to build a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive water transport ecosystem.
UP’s strengthening ties with national maritime programs ensure long-term growth, job creation, and better connectivity making the Ganga NW1 corridor a true engine of progress.
Source: PIB
