National Waterways
National Waterways in India are inland navigation routes designated for transport, trade, and economic development. They form part of the country’s inland water transport (IWT) system, which aims to provide a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternative to road and rail networks. Administered by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the national waterways are crucial for reducing logistical costs and promoting multimodal transport.
Background and Evolution
India, with its vast network of rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks, has long utilised waterways for transport. Historically, rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Godavari served as major trade arteries. However, with the advent of railways and road transport in the colonial and post-independence periods, inland water transport declined.
Recognising its potential, the Government of India began declaring certain stretches of rivers and canals as National Waterways (NW) to develop them systematically for navigation.
- National Waterway Act, 1982: Declared the first three waterways.
- National Waterways Act, 2016: A landmark law that consolidated existing waterways and declared 111 waterways as national waterways, covering more than 20,000 km across the country.
Major National Waterways
Although 111 have been notified, only a few are fully developed and operational due to navigability constraints, seasonal water flow, and infrastructure requirements. The important ones include:
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National Waterway 1 (NW-1):
- Route: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Haldia.
- Length: 1,620 km.
- Significance: Longest waterway; connects Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal; part of the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
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National Waterway 2 (NW-2):
- Route: Brahmaputra river from Dhubri to Sadiya in Assam.
- Length: 891 km.
- Significance: Lifeline for Northeast India, linking it with Bangladesh and facilitating trade.
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National Waterway 3 (NW-3):
- Route: West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram along Kerala’s backwaters, with extensions to Kottayam and Alappuzha.
- Length: 205 km.
- Significance: Supports cargo, passenger transport, and tourism in Kerala’s backwaters.
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National Waterway 4 (NW-4):
- Route: Kakinada-Puducherry stretch of Godavari and Krishna rivers, along canals.
- Length: 1,078 km.
- Significance: Important for Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, supporting agriculture and industry.
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National Waterway 5 (NW-5):
- Route: Brahmani river and Mahanadi delta system with East Coast Canal.
- Length: 623 km.
- Significance: Facilitates coal and mineral transport in Odisha and West Bengal.
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Other Key Waterways:
- NW-10 (Amba river, Maharashtra)
- NW-68 (Mandovi river, Goa)
- NW-86 (Barak river, Assam)
- NW-97 (Sunderbans, West Bengal)
Advantages of National Waterways
- Cost Efficiency: IWT is significantly cheaper than road and rail transport in terms of fuel consumption per tonne-km.
- Environmental Benefits: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on highways.
- Connectivity: Provides better access to remote and rural areas, especially in the Northeast and coastal regions.
- Economic Boost: Encourages regional trade, tourism, and industries like cement, coal, fertilisers, and agricultural products.
Challenges
Despite their potential, inland waterways face several constraints:
- Seasonal Variations: Many rivers are non-navigable during dry seasons due to low water flow.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of modern terminals, jetties, cargo handling facilities, and dredging operations.
- Environmental Concerns: Dredging and construction may affect aquatic biodiversity.
- Coordination Issues: Overlap of authority between central and state governments.
- Slow Development: Out of 111 declared waterways, only a handful have been made operational.
Government Initiatives
- Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): World Bank-assisted project for capacity augmentation of NW-1, including multimodal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia.
- Sagarmala Programme: Aims to promote port-led development, integrating waterways with coastal and hinterland transport.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encouraging private sector involvement in infrastructure development.
- Regional Cooperation: Agreements with Bangladesh under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) for cross-border navigation.
Significance
National waterways are integral to India’s strategy of promoting sustainable transport and logistics efficiency. By revitalising rivers as transport corridors, they complement road, rail, and air connectivity while reducing costs and environmental impacts. Although challenges remain, continued investment and policy support can transform waterways into a backbone of India’s multimodal transport system.
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