7.4. 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.

In ancient times, India had a strong maritime tradition, with seafarers who traveled extensively. Waterways are essential for transportation because they are cost-effective, making it cheaper to move bulky items compared to road or air transport. Additionally, using waterways reduces fuel consumption and is better for the environment, which is crucial in today's world where climate change is a significant concern.

Think of moving house. If you have many heavy boxes, using a truck (which represents road transport) is more challenging and expensive than using a large boat (which represents waterways) to carry them across a lake. Waterways can accommodate larger items more efficiently.

India has inland navigation waterways of 14,500 km in length. Out of these, only 5685 km are navigable by mechanised vessels.

India boasts a substantial network of inland waterways totalizing about 14,500 kilometers. However, only a little over 5,600 kilometers are suitable for modern mechanized boats. This highlights the need for better infrastructure and possibly investment to enhance the navigability of more waterways, allowing for increased usage of this transportation mode.

Imagine trying to ride a bicycle on a rough path—only the sharpest bicycles can manage on difficult terrain. Similarly, not every waterway is prepared for large mechanized boats. By upgrading these waterways, we can have more 'bicycles' on 'smooth paths,' allowing easier travel.

The following waterways have been declared as the National Waterways by the Government: •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 (205 km) - N.W. No.3 •Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers (1078 km) - N.W. No.4 •Specified stretches of river Brahmani and delta channels of Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers (588 km) - N.W. No.5.

The Indian government has identified several key waterways as National Waterways to encourage their development and utilization for transportation. These waterways include major rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, which could significantly ease the stress on road and rail transport while efficiently moving goods and passengers.

Imagine a busy city road where traffic is always congested. If you have a wide river beside it where boats can freely move, that river can function like a bypass, helping to alleviate traffic. Just like that, proper waterways can lighten the load off roads and railways.

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

Most of India’s trading activities with other nations rely on maritime transport; about 95% of trade volume occurs through sea routes. This statistic illustrates how vital waterways are for international commerce, allowing for the movement of goods across vast distances while keeping costs low.

Think of a sponge in a bucket of water. The sponge can absorb a lot of water (like trade), but only when it's placed in the right spot can that water easily flow out. Similarly, ports need to be strategically located to effectively facilitate trade from the country to the global market.

With a long coastline of 7,516.6 km, India is dotted with 12 major and 200 notified non-major ports. These major ports handle 95 percent of India’s foreign trade.

India's extensive coastline supports numerous major and intermediate ports, crucial for facilitating trade and commerce. The major ports play a significant role by managing the majority of import and export activities, which are fundamental to the economy.

Think about the role of a few key grocery stores in a neighborhood; they stock a wide variety of goods and are frequented by a larger portion of the community. Major ports function similarly, acting as hubs for goods entering and leaving a country efficiently.

--