♦ India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector has achieved a record cargo movement of 145.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25, nearly eight times the 18.10 MMT recorded in FY 2013–14.

♦ The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced this milestone on 25 April 2025, attributing the achievement to strategic investments, digital tools, and policy reforms led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).

♦ The sector has grown at a CAGR of 20.86% over the last decade 2023–24, with a 9.34% rise over the previous year (2024) alone.

♦ Five bulk commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68% of the cargo moved.

♦ Passenger movement reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24.