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WATERWAYS IN INDIA

3rd August, 2022

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Context

  • To promote inland water transport (IWT) in the country, 111 inland waterways spread over 24 states have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under National Waterway Act, 2016. 
  • Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of these NWs, action plan has been formulated by IWAI for 26 NWs found viable for cargo/passenger movement.

 

About National Waterways:

  • India has a vast network of inland waterways that include river bodies, canals, backwaters and creeks.
  • However, these inland waterways have been unutilised, as compared to other countries in the world.
  • The National Waterways Act proposed 106 additional national waterways to the five national waterways declared earlier.
  • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for the timely execution of national waterways projects and to ensure improved water transportation in India.
  • Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, 111 inland waterways (including five national waterways in India declared earlier) have been declared as ‘national waterways’.

 

The longest national waterway is the National Waterway 1 or the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system, running from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal and covers a length of 1,620 kilometres.

The first national waterways in India or the National Waterway 1 is the Ganga-Bhagirathi – Hooghly River System from Haldia to Allahabad.

The Manimutharu River in Tamil Nadu or the National Waterway 69 is the shortest national waterway in India.

LIST OF 26 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO / PASSENGER MOVEMENT

 

National Waterway

Details of Waterways

STATES

National Waterway 1

Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia - Allahabad)

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal

National Waterway 2

Brahmaputra River (Dhubri - Sadiya)

Assam

National Waterway 16

Barak River

Assam

National Waterway 3

West Coast Canal (Kottapuram - Kollam), Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals

Kerala

National Waterway 4

Krishna River (Vijayawada – Muktyala)

Andhra Pradesh

National Waterway 5

Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal

Odisha

National Waterway 8

Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal

Kerala

National Waterway 9

Alappuzha - Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal

Kerala (Alternate route: 11.5km)

National Waterway 27

Cumberjua River

Goa

National Waterway 68

Mandovi River

Goa

National Waterway 86

Rupnarayan River

West Bengal

National Waterway 97

Sunderbans Waterway

West Bengal

National Waterway 111

Zuari River

Goa

National Waterway 10

Amba River

Maharashtra

National Waterway 40

Ghagra River

Bihar

National Waterway 44

Ichamati River

West Bengal

National Waterway 52

Kali River

Karnataka

National Waterway 57

Kopili River

Assam

National Waterway 25

Chapora River

Goa

National Waterway 37

Gandak River

Bihar

National Waterway 28

Dabhol Creek Vasisti River

Maharashtra

National Waterway 73

Narmada River

Maharashtra & Gujarat

National Waterway 85

Revadanda Creek - Kundalika River System

Maharashtra

National Waterway 94

Sone River

Bihar

National Waterway 100

Tapi River

Maharashtra & Gujarat

National Waterway 31

Dhansiri River

Assam

 About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

  • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
  • Launched in October 1986, the Noida-headquartered Authorityhas regional offices across different cities.
  • It mainly undertakes projects for develqoping and maintaining the Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure on national waterways through grants from the Shipping Ministry.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1847361