Intro (Micro Notes Format):
Inland Water Transport (IWT): Transport via rivers, canals, backwaters & creeks.
India has ~14,500 km of navigable waterways; 111 National Waterways notified.
Low-cost, fuel-efficient, eco-friendly mode.
Problems:
- Poor infrastructure: Lack of terminals, dredging, night navigation facilities.
- Seasonal flow variation: Water levels fluctuate, affecting year-round navigation.
- Encroachments & pollution: Reduce navigability and degrade ecosystems.
- Fragmented regulation & poor investment: Hinders development.
- Slow cargo movement: Speed & capacity lower than rail/road.
- Limited multimodal integration: Poor last-mile connectivity.
Prospects:
- Cost-effective logistics: 1/3rd fuel consumption of road transport.
- Decongests rail/road: Reduces traffic & emissions.
- Ganga-Brahmaputra basin potential: Large hinterland connectivity.
- National Waterways project: e.g., NW-1 (Haldia-Varanasi), NW-2 (Brahmaputra) show promise.
- Sagarmala & Jal Marg Vikas Project: Boost IWT infrastructure & integration.
- Cross-border trade: IWT with Bangladesh fosters regional commerce.
Conclusion:
With appropriate infrastructure, policy support, and private investment, IWT can emerge as a sustainable and strategic transport alternative in India’s growing economy.
