The Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority recently held its first meeting, outlining a plan to boost water-based transport across the state.

A consultant will be hired to conduct a feasibility study for launching water transport along major rivers, with the Gomti river identified as a potential priority stretch after necessary cleaning and depth adjustments. The authority also discussed introducing water Metro services in six key cities: Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Agra, and Mathura. Uttar Pradesh, which has 11 of India’s 111 designated inland waterways, sees significant potential in this initiative.

Notably, inland water transport offers substantial cost savings, with a single cargo vessel carrying the equivalent of 50–60 trucks. The development of a multimodal cargo system that integrates water, road, and rail will further benefit industries in areas like Kanpur and Unnao. Additionally, the state’s Tourism Policy 2025 offers incentives for investors in floating restaurants, tapping into the region’s tourism potential.