The National Waterways Bill, 2015, which provides for declaring certain inland waterways as national waterways, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Under it, 106 additional inland waterways will be added to the list of national waterways, taking the number to 111.
The legislation was moved for consideration and passing by Shipping and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said it will "help, trade, industry, farmers, fishermen".