The National Waterways Act, 2016
Parliament enacted the National Waterways Act, 2016, Act Number 17 of 2016, on 25 March 2016, to continue five existing national waterways, declare additional inland waterways as national waterways, and place their regulation and development for shipping and navigation under Union control. The Act came into force on 12 April 2016 and repealed five earlier national waterway Acts while preserving actions consistent with the new law.
What the Act does
The National Waterways Act, 2016 governs the designation, regulation and development of listed inland waterways for shipping and navigation. Parliament enacted Act Number 17 of 2016 on 25 March 2016, and the source records that it came into force on 12 April 2016.
The Act brings existing and newly declared national waterways into one statutory framework. Its Schedule identifies each waterway and defines its geographical limits.
Main provisions
- National Waterways 1 to 5 continue as national waterways, subject to the modifications made by the National Waterways Act, 2016.
- Central Government control over the regulation and development of those existing waterways continues.
- Inland waterways numbered 6 to 111 in the Schedule are declared national waterways for shipping and navigation.
- Parliament declares it expedient in the public interest for the Union to control regulation and development of the scheduled waterways, to the extent provided by the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.
- The definition of “national waterway” in the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 is replaced so that it refers to waterways declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016. Any other waterway later declared by Parliament is also covered from the date that declaration takes effect.
Waterways relevant to Tamil Nadu readers
The Schedule includes several identifiable southern stretches:
- National Waterway 4 includes the Kakinada to Puducherry canal system, the South Buckingham Canal and Kaluvelly Tank. Its stated southern limit is at Kanakachettikulam.
- National Waterway 13 is the AVM Canal from Poovar Beach to Erayumanthurai Bus Stop.
- National Waterway 20 is the Bhavani River from Bhavani Sagar Dam at Sathyamangalam to its confluence with the Kaveri River at the bridge on the Salem to Coimbatore Highway.
The supplied provisions regulate waterway status for shipping and navigation. They do not state a land acquisition procedure, property transfer restriction, fee or compensation rule. A buyer or owner near a listed stretch should therefore use the Schedule to check whether the waterway itself falls within the defined limits, without treating the Act alone as proof of any change to private title.
Earlier laws repealed
The National Waterways Act, 2016 repeals five earlier Acts covering National Waterways 1 to 5. Actions already taken under those laws remain valid where they conform to the 2016 Act.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does the National Waterways Act, 2016 change ownership of land beside a listed waterway?
The supplied text does not state that adjoining land ownership changes. It deals with declaring waterways and Union control over their regulation and development for shipping and navigation.
Is the Bhavani River a national waterway?
Yes. National Waterway 20 covers the Bhavani River from Bhavani Sagar Dam at Sathyamangalam to its confluence with the Kaveri River at the bridge on the Salem to Coimbatore Highway.
Does the Act include the Buckingham Canal and Kaluvelly Tank?
National Waterway 4 includes the Kakinada to Puducherry canal system, including the North and South Buckingham canals and Kaluvelly Tank, within the limits stated in the Schedule.
What happened to the earlier laws for National Waterways 1 to 5?
The five earlier Acts are repealed. Actions taken under them are preserved where they conform to the National Waterways Act, 2016.
