The Andhra Pradesh government has invited tenders for a proposed 168 km navigation corridor, with an estimated initial investment of ₹1,700 crore. The project aims to improve freight transportation by shifting a portion of industrial cargo from roads to inland waterways.
The proposed corridor will include an 82 km stretch along the Krishna River, connecting Muktyala to Prakasam Barrage, along with a route extending towards Machilipatnam Port. The waterway is expected to support the movement of bulk commodities such as cement, limestone and fly ash from industrial clusters in the Jaggayyapeta region.
The project has received in-principle approval from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Its implementation is planned under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, enabling participation from private-sector entities in developing the navigation infrastructure.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to develop National Waterway-4 and strengthen connectivity between industrial centres, waterways and port infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh.
By creating an alternative freight transportation route, the project aims to improve cargo movement and support logistics efficiency for industries operating in the region. It could also help diversify transportation options for bulk materials and strengthen links between manufacturing hubs and maritime trade facilities.
The tendering process marks a step towards advancing the proposed waterway infrastructure and expanding inland water transport capacity in the state.
