The government has informed that, in the last 10 years, an additional 106 waterways have been declared as National Waterways. In a reply to supplementary questions in Rajya Sabha Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, Cargo shipping through waterways has increased by 6 times in the last 10 years. In 2013-14 more than 18 million metric tonnes of cargo was shipped through waterways. In 2023-24 this capacity was increased to 133 million metric tonnes, he added. Mr. Sonowal said,  waterways reduce the logistic cost and it is most feasible for cargo shipping.