First NoC issued for Jetty Project on River Mandovi in Goa under New National Waterways Regulations, 2025
Maritime News Goa, India : In a landmark move to catalyze private investment and streamline operations in India’s inland water transport sector, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal today launched a dedicated digital portal developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The portal, aligned with the newly notified National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, enables private entities to apply for and receive digital No Objection Certificates (NoCs) to develop and operate terminals and jetties on national waterways.
Unlocking Inland Potential: Ease of Doing Business Meets Waterways Development
Speaking at the launch event, the Minister described the initiative as a “transformative step” in India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.
“This new digital portal and regulatory framework mark a major leap toward ease of doing business, economic empowerment, and job creation. It will unlock the immense potential of India’s inland waterways by attracting private sector participation in a structured, transparent, and digital-first manner,” said Shri Sonowal.
The portal’s launch comes as part of the government’s vision to transform India’s inland waterways into efficient, modern, and inclusive trade and tourism corridors, under the larger umbrella of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and the Maritime India Vision 2030.
First Digital NoC Issued for Goa Jetty Project
In a symbolic first, the Minister handed over India’s first digital NoC to Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited, a Mumbai-based company. The NoC approves the development of a jetty at Malim on National Waterway 68 (River Mandovi) in Goa, at an estimated investment of ₹8 crore.
The jetty, once constructed, will accommodate up to 16 private yachts and leisure crafts up to 30 meters in length, boosting river-based tourism, especially cruise and leisure boating along the Mandovi river.
National Waterways Regulations 2025: A New Era of Participation
The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 lay down a clear and comprehensive roadmap for private and public entities to develop new or existing terminals, both permanent and temporary, across the country’s extensive national waterways network.
- Permanent terminals can operate indefinitely.
- Temporary terminals will be granted a five-year term with provisions for renewal.
By simplifying and digitizing the NoC process, the new system removes procedural roadblocks and encourages long-term infrastructure investment in the inland water transport sector.
India’s Waterways Growth Story
Minister Sonowal highlighted the sector’s rapid growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting the impressive increase in cargo movement from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24.
“The inland waterways have now become a powerful engine of economic growth. This new digital mechanism will ensure transparency, scalability, and sustainability in how we develop our river-based logistics and tourism infrastructure,” he said.
Stakeholder Participation and Future Prospects
The launch event saw participation from senior officials, including Shri Vijay Kumar, Chairman of IWAI, and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The portal is now live and open for applications, signaling the start of a new era of digitally enabled, private-sector-led inland waterway development in India.
Great question—and a critical one.
While the launch of the digital portal and the National Waterways Regulations, 2025 opens up massive opportunities for local stakeholders, it’s not without its potential challenges. Here’s a balanced analysis highlighting both pros and possible concerns:
Potential Challenges of the New Waterways Policy for Local Stakeholders
1. Displacement of Traditional River Communities
- Fisherfolk, ferry operators, and riverside dwellers may face displacement or restricted access to certain river stretches as jetties and terminals become commercialized.
- Without strong rehabilitation or inclusion policies, traditional users of the river may lose access or livelihood.
“We’ve lived by the Mandovi for generations. Will these big projects push us away?” – A local fisherman from Betim
2. Environmental Concerns
- While the policy promotes sustainability, increased vessel traffic, tourism activities, and infrastructure construction can lead to:
- Water pollution
- Shoreline erosion
- Disturbance to aquatic biodiversity
- In Goa, for instance, the Mandovi River is already ecologically sensitive, and further development must include robust environmental impact assessments (EIAs).
3. Unequal Economic Gains
- The major beneficiaries of such policy shifts often tend to be large corporations or urban entrepreneurs, while rural communities and small-scale operators may find it hard to compete or secure licenses.
- There’s a risk that local businesses may be sidelined unless capacity-building, training, and funding support are extended to them.
4. Cultural and Heritage Displacement
- Goa’s rivers are not just transport routes—they’re cultural arteries, linked to festivals, rituals, and local life. Commercializing riverbanks may alter their cultural character.
- Jetty construction near heritage zones could also clash with Goa’s architectural conservation ethos.
5. Regulatory and Bureaucratic Bottlenecks
- Despite a digital portal, actual on-ground implementation (like land approvals, environmental clearances, local body permissions) can still face delays and mismanagement.
- If local panchayats and communities are not adequately consulted, resistance or legal hurdles could follow.
How to Mitigate These Challenges?
- Inclusive planning: Involve local stakeholders in every stage—planning, approval, and benefit-sharing.
- Clear guidelines for environmental and social safeguards: EIAs should be mandatory for all jetty/terminal projects.
- Capacity building: Provide financial, legal, and training support to local entrepreneurs and traditional users.
- Monitoring mechanisms: Set up grievance redressal and real-time compliance monitoring systems.
- Cultural zoning: Identify and protect zones with cultural, religious, or heritage importance.
In Summary:
The National Waterways Regulations, 2025 are a visionary step—but like any ambitious reform, its success depends on how inclusively and sustainably it is implemented. If done right, it can uplift local communities and ecosystems. If not, it risks creating economic, social, and ecological imbalances.
Would you like me to draft a stakeholder impact report or a policy recommendation note to suggest improvements to the government/authorities?
