MoUs signed at India Maritime Week-2025 to operationalise waterways in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development at the India Maritime-2025 event held at Nesco Ground, Mumbai, a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to operationalise National Waterways–5 (NW–5) and National Waterways–64 (NW–64) in Odisha.The agreement, involving the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the govt of Odisha, Paradip Port Authority (PPA), and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), marks a pivotal step in leveraging Odisha’s riverine systems for sustainable freight movement and regional economic growth.With an estimated investment of Rs 12,200 crore, the project aims to facilitate the seamless transportation of coal and other bulk cargo from Talcher coalfields to Paradip and Dhamra ports via inland waterways.“This initiative is expected to significantly reduce logistics costs, alleviate congestion on road and rail networks, and promote environmentally friendly transportation methods, aligning with the govt of India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision,” an official statement issued by the housing and urban development department reads.It states that the project will be executed through a special purpose vehicle, the Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Limited (IWCOL).

The IWAI will spearhead the preparation of project proposals, secure necessary statutory clearances, and develop essential infrastructure such as terminals, barrages, and navigation systems.The govt of Odisha, in the meantime, will provide land and facilitate administrative support, while MCL will ensure consistent cargo movement and first-mile connectivity. The Paradip Port Authority will focus on promoting cargo handling and encouraging a modal shift to inland waterways.The MoU was signed in the presence of Union minister for parliamentary affairs and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union minister of state for ports, shipping & waterways Shantanu Thakur. “This collaborative effort is poised to establish an integrated and sustainable inland water transport network in Odisha, fostering industrial growth, employment opportunities, and enhanced logistics efficiency across eastern India,” the statement concludes.