Centre Plans Inland Water Transport Boost For Karnataka

In a written reply to an unstarred question in Parliament, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has prepared an action plan to build or upgrade jetties along key rivers in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada by 2026–27. The plan also includes expanding existing ferry points and introducing navigational aids to improve safety and connectivity.

Karnataka has 12 declared National Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016. As part of the current development drive, IWAI has proposed three pairs of connecting jetties on the Gurupur river (NW-43) and the Netravathi river (NW-74). These include links to the Bengre ferry service, the BMS ferry line and Sulthan Bathery.

Another pair of jetties has been proposed at Bolar and Ullal to support a short 1.5-kilometre ferry corridor, which currently requires a 15.7-kilometre road journey. On the Kali river (NW-52), the plan includes the installation of navigational aids and the augmentation of the existing 24-metre jetty.

A new floating jetty has also been proposed at Kodi beach on the Panchagangavali river (NW-76) to support backwater cruise routes. In addition, two jetties at Honnavar and Gerusoppa on the Sharavati river (NW-90) are in the pipeline.

The Ministry said tendering for these works has already commenced. In Udupi, a floating jetty at Malpe is also part of the expansion plan on the Udayavara river (NW-105). Existing cruise services connecting Malpe Sea View, St Mary’s Island and Daria Bahadurgarh Fort are expected to benefit from the enhanced infrastructure.