Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985
Parliament enacted the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985, Act No. 82 of 1985, dated 30 December 1985, to create the Inland Waterways Authority of India and regulate and develop inland waterways for shipping and navigation. The Act came into force on 27 October 1986 and was amended by legislation enacted in 1993, 2001, 2016 and 2026.
What the Act governs
The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 establishes the Inland Waterways Authority of India for the regulation and development of inland waterways used for shipping and navigation. Parliament enacted Act No. 82 of 1985 on 30 December 1985, and it came into force on 27 October 1986 through a Central Government notification.
The text is consolidated as on 30 June 2026. It includes amendments made by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (Amendment) Act, 1993, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (Amendment) Act, 2001, the National Waterways Act, 2016, and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
Inland Waterways Authority of India
The Inland Waterways Authority of India is a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal. It may acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.
Key organisational provisions include:
- Appointment of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, full-time members and part-time members by the Central Government.
- Appointment of a Secretary, officers and employees.
- Formation of advisory committees involving people connected with shipping, navigation and related matters.
- Conduct of meetings and decision-making by majority vote.
- Operation, as far as possible, on business principles.
Relevance to land and property
The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 may be relevant to property connected with a national waterway. It defines appurtenant land as all land appurtenant to a national waterway, whether demarcated or not.
Property-related provisions include:
- Authority power to acquire, hold and dispose of immovable property.
- Transfer of specified Central Government assets and liabilities relating to the Inland Water Transport Directorate to the Authority.
- Provisions listed for compulsory acquisition of land for the Authority.
- Provisions listed for entry onto land.
The supplied text does not set out the detailed procedure or conditions for compulsory acquisition or entry.
Other key provisions
The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 also provides a framework for:
- Development and conservancy of waterways and navigable channels.
- Infrastructure such as docks, wharves, jetties, landing stages, locks, inland ports, access links and cargo storage.
- Fees and charges, Central Government grants and loans, borrowing, budgets, accounts and audits.
- Central Government directions, rules and supersession of the Authority.
- Regulations made by the Authority and adjudication of penalties.
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Common questions
Can the Inland Waterways Authority of India own or sell land?
Yes. The Inland Waterways Authority of India may acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property, subject to the Act.
Does appurtenant land have to be formally demarcated?
No. The Act defines appurtenant land as all land appurtenant to a national waterway, whether demarcated or not.
Does the Act allow compulsory acquisition of land?
The Act includes a provision for compulsory acquisition of land for the Inland Waterways Authority of India. The supplied text does not provide the detailed acquisition procedure.
Which waterways are treated as national waterways under the Act?
A national waterway is an inland waterway declared as such by the National Waterways Act, 2016. Any other waterway later declared by Parliament to be a national waterway is also covered from the date that declaration takes effect.
