Length of India's Inland Waterways?
VerifiedAnswer: 14,500 km
Explanation:
India has an extensive network of inland waterways that stretches approximately 14,500 kilometers across the country. These waterways consist of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, and other navigable water bodies that serve as important transportation routes for both cargo and passengers.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in 1986, is the statutory authority responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation. The government has been actively promoting inland water transport as it is considered more environmentally friendly and cost-effective compared to road and rail transport.
Among these 14,500 kilometers of waterways, the government has declared 111 National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016. The most prominent ones include National Waterway 1 (River Ganga from Prayagraj to Haldia), National Waterway 2 (River Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Dhubri), and National Waterway 3 (West Coast Canal along with Champakara and Udyogmandal canals).
The development of inland waterways offers several advantages including reduced transportation costs, lower carbon emissions, decreased road congestion, and enhanced connectivity to remote areas. The government's vision is to increase the share of inland water transport in the country's transportation mix, which currently stands at a modest percentage compared to developed nations.
Various projects are underway to modernize and expand the capacity of these waterways, including dredging operations, construction of terminals, and installation of navigation aids. The Jal Marg Vikas Project on National Waterway 1 is one such significant initiative aimed at developing the Ganga river for commercial navigation between Varanasi and Haldia.
