Important Waterways in India

Ocean, lake, gulf, and river are different waterways in India. They form a strong backbone of the transportation sector in India. The economy of any country flourishes if the transport system is upgraded. There are various means of transport that affect the transportation of goods and people from one place to another. One such mode of transport is waterways. 

Inland water transport

Inland water transport is a cost-effective, environment-friendly, fuel-efficient transport that plays an essential role in supplementing roadways and railways. But for the increase, inland waterways in India must be developed so that private investors can be attracted to pay a certain amount for the development of inland waterways in India. 

During the early 19th and 20th centuries, inland waterways played the most crucial role in transport and navigation. Inland waterways also influenced trade and commerce. As railways spread, transportation through waterways slowly began losing its importance. 

Formation of inland waterways authority of India

There came a time when the expansion of roads slowly took over, and inland waterways in India lost their value and importance. Only a few states now use inland waterways as a mode of transportation. These states include Mumbai, Kerala, Goa, West Bengal and States that are a part of the coastal region in India. However, we cannot neglect the pivotal role waterways play in transportation. Hence, the need for developing waterways was felt. When people realised the need for developing and promoting the growth of water transport, the inland waterways authority of India was formed in 1986. The prominent role of IWAI is to work on infrastructure and maintenance of national waterways. It also performs studies to present proposals that, in turn, contribute to the development of these waterways. It also has an essential role in advising the central government in matters involving Inland waterways and promoting inland waterways development in India.

National waterways in India

How many national waterways are in India? What purpose do they serve? And what are the plans that are being undertaken for their development? Let’s have a deep look at all these questions.

Currently, India has 111 national waterways in India that are functional to supplement transport through inland waterways. Out of these 111, the creation of 106 dates back to 2016. This network of inland waterways is spread across 20,275 km. They are an essential means for the transportation of cargo, passengers, and cruise vessels. Inland waterways mediated cargo transport of as much as 55 million tonnes in 2017-18. However, it has risen to 100 MT in the current times. 

National waterways of India

The names of some of the national waterways of India are mentioned below

• NW1: the Haldia spread of Ganga-Hooghly-Bhagirathi rivers

• NW2: the stretch of the Brahmaputra river

• NW3: the stretch of the Western coast canal

• NW4: Backingham canal in Andhra Pradesh

• NW5: the stretch of rivers and canals in Orissa

When can one declare a water body as an inland waterway?

There is a list of specific criteria, which, if fulfilled, will help in declaring a water body as inland waterways in India. These criteria were put forth in the 1980s by the national transport policy committee. They help us decide when to declare a particular water body as the waterway and when not. The list of these criteria includes:

1. The waterway should have the capacity for providing navigation of a reasonable size of vessel.

2. It should stretch continuously across 50 km. 

3. It should spread across more than one state.

4. It should provide a connection to essential ports.

5. It should stretch through significant regions where the development of navigation through waterways is necessary. 

6. It should be responsible for transportation in states where other means of transport are not feasible. 

Conclusion

Transport through waterways is an essential mode of transportation. As time advanced and the development of railways and roadways took over, inland waterways in India started losing their value. Expansion of roadways led to a decline in the number of people who directly or indirectly relied on channels as a mode of transport. The IWAI worked on developing and promoting water transport, but the use is still limited compared to roadways and railways. 

We need to promote using waterways as a mode of transport and ensure proper promotion and development of this means of transportation.