Water Transport in India
Water transport is one of the oldest and most eco-friendly modes of transport. It involves the movement of goods and passengers over water bodies like rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal areas.
Inland Waterways (IWT)
- Historical Significance:
Inland Water Transport was the dominant mode before the introduction of railways. - Decline in Use:
- Faced competition from roads and railways.
- Diversion of river water for irrigation rendered large sections non-navigable.
- Advantages of IWT:
- Environmentally friendly and energy-efficient
- Minimal air and noise pollution
- Highly cost-effective for bulk cargo like:
- Coal
- Fly ash
- Iron ore
- Extent:
- Total navigable waterways: 14,500 km
- Mechanised vessel-navigable rivers: 5,685 km
- Contribution to total transport: ~1%
Institutional Framework
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
- Established: 1986 under the IWAI Act, 1985
- Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Mandate: Development, maintenance, and regulation of National Waterways (NWs)
National Waterways (NWs)
- Legal Basis: National Waterways Act, 2016
- Total Declared: 111 National Waterways
- 5 pre-existing + 106 newly notified
- Viability:
- 25 NWs found economically viable
- 13 NWs are operational for navigation and cargo/passenger movement
Major operational National Waterways:
| NW No. | Stretch | Length | Key Features | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NW 1 | Allahabad–Haldia (Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly) | 1620 km | Navigable by mechanical boats till Patna, ordinary boats till Haridwar. Divided into 3 parts. | UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, WB |
| NW 2 | Sadiya–Dhubri (Brahmaputra) | 891 km | Navigable by steamers till Dibrugarh. Shared with Bangladesh. | Assam |
| NW 3 | Kollam–Kottapuram + Canals | 365 km | 1st national waterway in a single state. Includes Champakara & Udyogmandal canals. | Kerala |
| NW 4 | Godavari–Krishna–Canals system | 2890 km | Longest waterway. Passes through multiple river-canal systems. | AP, Telangana, TN, Karnataka, Maharashtra |
| NW 5 | Brahmani–Matai–Mahanadi delta | 588 km | Brahmani + deltaic systems + East Coast Canals. | Odisha, WB |
Other Operated National Waterways:
| NW No. | Waterway | Length | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| NW 10 | Amba River | 45 km | Maharashtra |
| NW 68 | Mandovi River | 41 km | Goa |
| NW 73 | Narmada River | 227 km | Maharashtra, Gujarat |
| NW 83 | Rajpuri Creek | 31 km | Maharashtra |
| NW 85 | Kundalika / Revadanda Creek | 31 km | Maharashtra |
| NW 91 | Shastri River / Jaigad Creek | 52 km | Maharashtra |
| NW 97 | Sunderbans & Delta Rivers system | 654 km | West Bengal |
| NW 100 | Tapi River | 436 km | Maharashtra, Gujarat |
| NW 111 | Zuari River | 50 km | Goa |
Viable Waterways (Non-Operational but Proposed)
| NW No. | River / Stretch | States |
|---|---|---|
| NW 5 | Brahmani–Matai–Mahanadi deltas | Odisha, WB |
| NW 8 | Alappuzha–Changanassery Canal | Kerala |
| NW 9 | Alappuzha–Kottayam–Athirampuzha Canal | Kerala |
| NW 16 | Barak River | Assam |
| NW 25 | Chapora River | Goa |
| NW 27 | Cumberjua River | Goa |
| NW 28 | Dabhol Creek / Vashishti River | Maharashtra |
| NW 37 | Gandak River | Bihar, UP |
| NW 40 | Ghaghra River | Bihar, UP |
| NW 44 | Ichamati River | WB |
| NW 52 | Kali River | Karnataka |
| NW 57 | Kopili River | Assam |
| NW 86 | Rupnarayan River | WB |
| NW 94 | Sone River | Bihar |
For more comprehensive list you can read here.
Key Cross-Border Initiative
Sonamura-Daudkandi Inland Waterway
- Location: River Gumti, connecting Sonamura (Tripura) with Daudkandi (Bangladesh)
- Length: 90 km
- Significance: Boosts trade and connectivity with Bangladesh under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol
Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade
- Objective:
Enables mutual transit rights for inland vessels through designated routes in each other’s territory - Protocol Routes:
- Kolkata – Pandu – Kolkata
- Kolkata – Karimganj – Kolkata
- Rajshahi – Dhulian – Rajshahi
- Pandu – Karimganj – Pandu
Ports of Call
- Definition:
Intermediate designated stops along trade routes where vessels can load/unload, refuel, and undergo maintenance. - Indian Ports of Call (in Indo-Bangladesh Region):
- Haldia, West Bengal
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Pandu, Assam (Largest river port; located on NW-2)
- Karimganj, Assam
- Silghat, Assam
Conclusion
The revival and strengthening of Inland Waterways under institutional frameworks and international protocols mark a strategic shift toward sustainable and regional connectivity. Their cost-efficiency and eco-friendliness make them an important pillar in India’s multimodal transport network.