The stage is set for a comprehensive legislation to declare as many as 106 inland waterways (IWs) as National Waterways (NWs). This will take the tally of NWs to 111 as five IWs have been over decades already declared as NWs. A bill for the purpose is already in the drafting stage at the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). And it may be ready for tabling in Parliament in the budget session 2016. Indeed, the IWAI set out in right earnest to collect all necessary information and data for enactment of a legislation in this regard hard on the heels of the Union Cabinet clinching the issue in March this year. The matter was then referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for its recommendations. After extensive interactions with central and state officials as well as scientists, hydrologists, shipping experts and others, the Parliamentary Committee finalized its recommendations in August this year. Armed with all the necessary inputs, the IWAI has finally initiated the process for formulating a comprehensive and feasible legislation that will create the legal framework for a strong and robust inland shipping networks that will help reduce carbon dioxide emission, cut down costs of transport and promote trade and commerce particularly in difficult and remote areas.