Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0)

The 3rd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) was held in Kochi, Kerala, on 23 January 2026, chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

What is the IWDC?

The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) is a high-level institutional mechanism set up by the Government of India to review, coordinate, and accelerate development and utilisation of inland waterways for cargo and passenger transport, and explore ecosystem linkages to economic growth.

IWDC 3.0

• When & Where: 3rd meeting held on 23 January 2026 in Kochi, Kerala.
• Chair: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways).

Objectives of IWDC 3.0

• Review progress of inland water transport since:
  • IWDC 1.0 (2024)
  • IWDC 2.0 (2025)
• Chart a future roadmap focusing on:
  • Green mobility
  • Multimodal logistics
  • River-led economic development