7.4.3. National Waterways

Since the ancient period, India was one of the seafaring countries. Its seamen sailed far and near, thus, carrying and spreading Indian commerce and culture. Waterways are the cheapest means of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.

Waterways have been an essential part of transportation in India since ancient times. They allow for the transport of goods over water, which is often cheaper and more efficient than land transport for heavy and bulky items. This mode of transport is also good for the environment as it typically uses less fuel.

Think of waterways like using a big, sturdy boat to transport furniture across a lake rather than a truck driving on bumpy roads. The boat can carry more weight without using too much fuel, and the journey is smoother.

India has inland navigation waterways of 14,500 km in length. Out of these, only 5685 km are navigable by mechanised vessels. The following waterways have been declared as the National Waterways by the Government.

Inland navigation refers to navigating and transporting goods via rivers and canals within the country. Although India has a significant length of waterways, only a portion is suitable for modern mechanised vessels. The government is working to improve and expand these waterways to enhance trade.

Imagine a water park with many water slides. Only a few slides are open for use, but the park has a lot of potential. Similarly, India has several waterways, but only those that are well-maintained can be used for navigation.

The Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia (1620 km)-N.W. No.1 The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km)-N.W. No.2 The West-Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapurma-Kollam, Udyogamandal and Champakkara canals-205 km) – N.W. No.3 Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry stretch of canals (1078 km) – N.W. No.4 Specified stretches of river Brahmani along with Matai river, delta channels of Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers and East Coast Canal (588 km) – N.W. No.5.

These waterways comprise significant national river systems which are crucial for transporting goods across vast distances in India. Each listed waterway has been designated by the government, highlighting its importance for trade and connecting different regions.

Consider these national waterways like major highways in the sky, but on water. Just as highways help in moving vehicles quickly across states, these waterways help in transporting goods efficiently from one city to another using boats and ships.

Apart from these, India’s trade with foreign countries is carried from the ports located along the coast. 95 per cent of the country’s trade volume (68 per cent in terms of value) is moved by sea.

International trade is heavily reliant on sea transport in India. With a long coastline, ports facilitate the movement of goods like raw materials and finished products to and from countries, significantly contributing to the economy.

Think of the ports as the 'storefronts' of countries where ships are like delivery trucks. Just like trucks bring goods to supermarkets, ships transport goods across oceans, connecting different countries in trade.

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