NEW DELHI : The development of National Waterway-4 (NW-4) through Andhra Pradesh is gaining momentum, with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) advancing infrastructure aimed at promoting inland water transport, Ro-Ro connectivity and tourism along the Krishna River.
IWAI, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), has developed a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal at Muktyala on NW-4 to facilitate the movement of vehicles and cargo through inland waterways. The initiative is expected to provide an additional mode of transportation, improve multimodal connectivity and unlock the economic potential of the Krishna River corridor.
Ro-Ro and Tourism Infrastructure Strengthened
As part of efforts to expand the waterway infrastructure, IWAI constructed and handed over four floating jetties to the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in 2024. The facilities are intended to support tourism activities and strengthen river-based connectivity and passenger movement.
Further strengthening the Ro-Ro infrastructure network, the construction of a Ro-Ro terminal at Harishchandrapuram in Andhra Pradesh has been awarded, marking another step towards developing dedicated facilities for efficient inland cargo and vehicle movement.
In addition, the transfer of 3.80 acres of land belonging to the State Irrigation Department at Ibrahimpatnam in NTR District is currently under progress for the development of Ro-Ro terminal facilities on NW-4.
Investment in NW-4 Development Accelerates
Government spending on the development of NW-4 has witnessed a significant increase in recent years, reflecting the growing focus on strengthening inland waterways infrastructure.
Financial Year Funds Allocated/Utilised
2023–24 ₹0.67 crore
2024–25 ₹1.22 crore
2025–26 ₹18.28 crore
The funds utilised during 2025–26 were more than 15 times the amount recorded in 2024–25, indicating a substantial acceleration in infrastructure development along the waterway.
5.71 Million Tonnes of Cargo Moved on NW-4
The waterway is already demonstrating its potential as an alternative transportation corridor. During 2025–26, cargo movement on NW-4 stood at 5.71 million tonnes, while passenger movement reached 2.34 million.
The growing movement of both cargo and passengers underscores the importance of developing reliable inland waterway infrastructure and integrating NW-4 with road, rail, port and logistics networks.
Navigation Challenges Being Addressed
Despite the considerable potential of NW-4, several operational and infrastructure challenges continue to influence navigation along the waterway.
The availability of adequate water depth for safe navigation on the Vijayawada–Muktyala stretch depends on regulated water releases from the Pulichintala Dam, resulting in seasonal variations in navigable conditions.
Other challenges include the presence of low-level bridges, old navigational locks and encroachments, which can affect navigation and constrain the development of the waterway.
Addressing these issues through coordinated infrastructure planning, water management, removal of navigational constraints and modernisation of supporting facilities will be critical to achieving the full potential of NW-4.
Building a Multimodal Inland Waterway Corridor
The continued development of NW-4 forms part of India’s broader strategy to promote inland waterways as an efficient, sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation. The expansion of Ro-Ro facilities, tourism infrastructure and multimodal connectivity along the Krishna River can help create new opportunities for cargo movement, passenger transport, tourism and regional economic development.
With increasing investment and the development of dedicated terminals, NW-4 is steadily evolving into an important component of Andhra Pradesh’s multimodal transport network.
From Ro-Ro terminals and floating jetties to growing cargo and passenger movement, the development of NW-4 reflects India’s continuing efforts to unlock the potential of its inland waterways and build a more integrated, efficient and sustainable transportation ecosystem.
