Explanation -
Inland water transport (IWT) refers to the movement of goods and passengers through navigable rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks using boats and vessels.
It is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly modes of transport, complementing road and rail networks in India's multimodal logistics strategy.
India has an extensive network of over 14,500 km of navigable waterways, of which 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in 1986, is the nodal agency for developing and maintaining these national waterways.
Major operational National Waterways include —
- NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River system from Prayagraj to Haldia
- NW-2: Brahmaputra River in Assam
- NW-3: West Coast Canal in Kerala
- NW-4 & NW-5: Connecting river systems in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu
These waterways are being developed with modern terminals, navigational aids, and vessel support services to facilitate steady cargo and passenger operations.
Explanation -
Inland water transport (IWT) refers to the movement of goods and passengers through navigable rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks using boats and vessels.
It is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly modes of transport, complementing road and rail networks in India's multimodal logistics strategy.
India has an extensive network of over 14,500 km of navigable waterways, of which 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in 1986, is the nodal agency for developing and maintaining these national waterways.
Major operational National Waterways include —
- NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River system from Prayagraj to Haldia
- NW-2: Brahmaputra River in Assam
- NW-3: West Coast Canal in Kerala
- NW-4 & NW-5: Connecting river systems in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu
These waterways are being developed with modern terminals, navigational aids, and vessel support services to facilitate steady cargo and passenger operations.