20 new National Waterways to be operationalised over five years: FM

As part of India’s infrastructure goals, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (February 1, 2026) announced that 20 new national waterways will be operationalised over the next five years.

Sitharaman is presenting her ninth Budget in the Parliament today (February 1, 2026). This is the first time in the history of India that the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.

A coastal cargo scheme was also announced in order to increase the share of coastal shipping and inland waterways.

“A ship repair ecosystem catering to inland waterways will be set up at Varanasi and Patna,” she said.

Further, a new dedicated freight corridor from “Dankuni in East to Surat in West to promote environmentally sustainable movement of cargo” was announced.

Sitharaman added that training institutes will be set up as regional institutes of excellence to boost the waterways space.