National

Government Establishes Regulations to Enhance Utilization of India’s Waterway Network

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

In a pivotal step toward enhancing infrastructure development and facilitating business operations, the government has implemented new regulations for the creation of jetties and terminals by various stakeholders, including private entities, public organizations, and joint ventures, along national waterways throughout the country.
The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), aim to attract private sector investments for terminal development, streamline regulatory processes, and promote efficient utilization of India’s extensive waterways network.

By allowing various entities, including private players, to develop and manage jetties and terminals, these regulations create fresh investment, trade, and economic growth opportunities while improving logistical efficiency. This strategy is anticipated to lower transportation costs, enhance cargo movement, and bolster the overall growth of the inland waterways sector, positioning it as a vital component of the nation’s economy.

According to the new regulations, any organization, including private sector players, aiming to develop or manage an inland waterway terminal on a national waterway must secure a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NoC) from the IWAI. Both existing and new terminals—whether permanent or temporary—are encompassed by these regulations. Permanent terminals can be maintained indefinitely by the operator, while temporary terminals will have an initial term of five years, with opportunities for extension. The terminal developer and operator will be responsible for the technical design and construction of the terminal, ensuring alignment with their business plan and adequate access.

The IWAI is also in the process of launching an online application portal to streamline and digitize the process for terminal developers and operators. This digital platform is intended to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, supporting the government’s vision of Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and digitization. The portal will enable applicants to submit requests and monitor their application status effortlessly.

The IWAI has made notable advancements in developing waterways as a crucial engine for economic growth. Cargo transportation on national waterways has increased significantly over the past decade, rising from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24. This progress aligns with the Prime Minister’s objective to advocate for sustainable development, encourage private sector involvement, and improve the Ease of Doing Business through digitalization and streamlined regulatory processes.

Furthermore, the recently launched Jalvahak scheme aims to incentivize shifting approximately 17 percent of cargo transport from the current 4,700 million tonne-kilometers on national waterways, further encouraging private sector engagement.

With the implementation of the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, private enterprises are expected to take on a larger role in the creation and expansion of inland waterway terminals, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the sector.

National

Pickup Vehicle Crashes Into Divider, Two Killed Including Child

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A tragic road accident took place in Uttar Pradesh when a pickup vehicle lost control and crashed into a road divider.

The driver and a three-year-old girl died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. Nine passengers who were travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries. They were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.

Reports said the victims were travelling to their native village to celebrate the Holi festival. A video showing the horrifying scene of the accident has gone viral on social media.

Preliminary reports suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Police have started an investigation into the incident.

National

Five from Karnataka Killed in Car–Container Collision in Andhra Pradesh

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Andhra Pradesh: Five people from Karnataka were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in rammed into a container truck from behind in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Tuesday.

The accident occurred near Gangavaram in Palamaneru while the victims were on their way to Tirupati temple from Bengaluru. According to police, the car crashed into the rear of a container vehicle with great force, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.

The deceased have been identified as Mohandas (71), Nagaraj (61), Kusuma (61), Jayanti (59), and Pooja (33). All of them were residents of Rajajinagar in Bengaluru.

Preliminary reports suggest that the impact of the collision was so severe that all five occupants died at the scene. Police have registered a case at the Palamaneru police station and further investigation is underway.

More details are awaited.

National

Woman Kills Ex-Lover Over Blackmail in Ballia

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A married woman allegedly killed her former lover in Ballia after he blackmailed her with private videos, police said.

According to police, the victim was identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh. He was reportedly in a relationship with the woman from a nearby village.

Police said the woman wanted to end the relationship. However, Gupta allegedly began blackmailing her using obscene videos and harassed her repeatedly.

Unable to bear the threats, the woman informed her brother and sister-in-law. The trio allegedly planned the murder during a wedding function on February 5.

On February 7, they allegedly called Gupta to the village on a pretext. He was strangled to death, police said. The accused then poured acid on his face to hide his identity and tried to destroy evidence.

An unidentified body with a disfigured face was found on February 10. The crime was later solved during the investigation.

Police have arrested three accused, including the woman, and sent them to judicial custody. Efforts are on to arrest other suspects involved in the case.