The significant expansion of cargo movement through waterways in India is evidenced by a remarkable six-fold increase over the past decade, largely attributed to the construction of new national waterways. According to a report by Crisil, cargo transported via these waterways surged from 18.1 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2014 (FY14) to an impressive 132.9 million tonnes in FY24. The Indian government has set ambitious targets to further enhance this growth, aiming for 200 million tonnes by FY30 and an ambitious 500 million tonnes by FY47. Currently, the transportation landscape in India is heavily reliant on road transport, which accounts for 65% of freight movement. Rail transportation follows at 26%, while the remaining 9% is composed of various modes, including air transport, pipelines, coastal shipping, and inland waterways. A pivotal initiative in this growth is the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), launched in 2018 with an investment of ₹5,369.18 crore. The JMVP focuses on expanding the capacity of National Waterway 1 (NW-1), which spans 1,390 kilometres from Haldia to Varanasi along the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system. This project aims to enhance navigability, infrastructure, and overall logistics efficiency on NW-1, making it a crucial artery for cargo movement. The increase in cargo transport via waterways is not only beneficial for reducing road congestion but also contributes to environmental sustainability, as it generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to road and rail transport. As the government continues to invest in and promote the use of inland waterways, it is expected that this mode of transport will play an increasingly vital role in India's logistics ecosystem, supporting economic growth and trade in the years to come.