Sarbhanand Sonowal presented a plan to double the share of coastal and inland waterway freight to 12% by 2047.

New Delhi – The central government has taken a significant step toward a revolutionary change in the country’s transport infrastructure. Central Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced in Parliament that India aims to double the share of freight carried by its coastlines and waterways to 12 percent of total freight by 2047. This initiative is intended to accelerate the country’s economic dynamism and reduce dependence on roads and railways.

Sonowal pointed out that currently about 90 percent of India’s total freight is transported by roads and railways, while the contribution from waterways and coastal transport is very negligible. The government believes that, given the challenges of climate change, it is essential to promote pollution‑reducing and energy‑efficient transport modes such as ships and boats. Achieving the 12 percent target will not only reduce traffic congestion and accidents on roads but also save the enormous budget spent on repairing national highways.

Under the plan, the government is focusing on making coastal routes and the National Waterways more efficient and modern. Special budgetary provisions are being made to improve ports, warehouses, and connectivity so that goods can flow smoothly from productive regions to consumer areas. Sonowal also noted that increasing the use of small and medium‑sized vessels will boost domestic commerce, improving the dispatch of agricultural produce and industrial goods.

Experts believe that to reach this goal by 2047, it will also be necessary to mobilise private sector investment. The policy document presented by the government is a sacred step toward realizing India’s “Developed India” aspirations. By promoting freight transport via coastlines and waterways, the country can not only control its transport costs but also build a sustainable and environmentally friendly economic model in line with global standards. This strategy is likely to become a milestone in the expansion of Indian trade and industry over the next two decades.