NEW DELHI : The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) bid a warm farewell to Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS, on the completion of his tenure as Chairman, as he moves on to his new responsibility as Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
During his tenure at the helm of IWAI, Shri Paliwal provided strategic leadership at a significant phase in the transformation of India’s inland waterways sector. His tenure coincided with an accelerating national focus on waterways as a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and multimodal alternative for cargo and passenger transportation.
IWAI, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is the nodal authority responsible for the development, maintenance and regulation of India’s National Waterways. The Authority’s mandate spans fairway development, navigation infrastructure, hydrographic surveys, terminals, safety systems and coordination with other modes of transport.
Strengthening the Inland Waterways Ecosystem
Shri Paliwal’s tenure came at a time when India’s inland waterways ecosystem was witnessing rapid expansion in infrastructure, technology, cargo movement and river-based tourism.
Key national priorities included strengthening multimodal terminals and navigation infrastructure, promoting Ro-Ro and cargo movement, green and hybrid vessels, digital navigation systems and river cruise tourism. IWAI has also been working towards making waterways an integral component of India’s broader multimodal logistics network.
The Authority has continued to expand activity across major National Waterways, including NW-1 on the Ganga, NW-2 on the Brahmaputra and waterways in the eastern, southern and northeastern regions. Recent initiatives have also focused on cross-border trade, modern terminals, community jetties and cleaner vessels.
India has around 14,500 km of navigable waterways, with inland water transport offering a fuel-efficient and environment-friendly supplementary mode of transportation. IWAI’s vision is to develop a safe, economical and sustainable inland water transport system capable of contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.
Building Momentum for a Future-Ready Waterways Sector
During his association with IWAI, Shri Paliwal also participated in important sectoral deliberations aimed at charting the future course of inland water transport. The recent Inland Waterways Development Council discussions have placed strong emphasis on green mobility, digitalisation, modern terminals, shipbuilding and ship repair, river cruise tourism and improved cargo logistics.
The sector is increasingly being positioned not merely as an alternative transport mode, but as an important pillar of India’s logistics transformation, regional connectivity and sustainable economic development.
Warm Wishes for the New Assignment
The farewell gathering provided an opportunity for officers and employees of IWAI to acknowledge Shri Paliwal’s leadership, guidance and contribution to the Authority. Colleagues expressed their appreciation for his vision and administrative leadership and conveyed their best wishes for his new assignment.
As Shri Sunil Paliwal takes on his new role as Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, he carries with him the experience of leading an organisation at the forefront of India’s evolving inland waterways revolution.
IWAI conveyed its appreciation for his service and wished him continued success in his new responsibility, while reaffirming its commitment to advancing India’s waterways as a modern, sustainable and efficient component of the national transport network.
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