Water Transport in India

Water transport, being one of the oldest and most cost-effective modes of transportation, is vital for global trade and regional connectivity.It is characterized by its cost-effectiveness and efficiency in moving large volumes of goods.

Advantages of Water Transport

Cheapest Means of Transport:

• Cost Efficiency: Water transport is the most economical method for moving goods. Rivers, being natural highways, do not require significant construction or maintenance costs. Even canals, although requiring some infrastructure investment, are cheaper compared to roads and railways.
• Low Operation Costs: The cost of operating inland water transport is notably low, contributing to its status as the most affordable mode for transporting large quantities of goods.

Least Consumption of Energy:

• Fuel Efficiency: Water transport is highly fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Mechanized boats and steamers consume less fuel compared to other transportation modes, thereby reducing environmental pollution.

Suitable for Heavy and Bulky Goods:

• Capacity: Waterways can accommodate and transport large volumes of heavy and bulky goods, such as coal and timber, which are often challenging for road and rail transport.

No Friction:

• Smooth Operation: The friction experienced by boats and steamers on water is significantly less compared to land-based transport, such as road and rail, leading to smoother and more efficient travel.

Eco-Friendly:

• Reduced Pollution: The minimal fuel consumption of boats and steamers translates to lower pollution levels, making water transport a greener option.

Types of Waterways

Inland Waterways:

• Definition: Inland water transport involves the use of rivers, canals, lakes, and other inland bodies of water for transportation.
• Characteristics:
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Recognized as the cheapest mode of transport.
  • Competition: Faces stiff competition from roadways and railways.
  • Challenges: Navigation can be affected by water diversion and seasonal changes, reducing its competitiveness.
• Infrastructure:
  • Navigable Length: India’s inland waterways cover a total navigable length of approximately 14,500 km. This includes about 5,200 km of rivers and 4,000 km of canals usable by mechanized crafts.
  • Utilization: Of the 3,700 km of navigable rivers, only about 2,000 km is actively used.
  • Regulation: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) oversees canals and navigable rivers. The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 empowers the government to designate certain waterways as National Waterways for development.

Ocean Transport:

• Definition: Ocean transport refers to the movement of goods and passengers across the seas and oceans globally.
• Importance: Essential for international trade, ocean transport links global markets and supports economic integration.
• Characteristics:
  • Natural Track: Utilizes the sea, which does not require construction or maintenance of transport tracks.
  • Types: Includes coastal shipping (within a country’s coastlines) and overseas shipping (international routes).

National Waterways

The National Waterways Act, which came into effect in 2016, proposed the addition of 106 new National Waterways and consolidated five existing Acts that had previously established six National Waterways, listed as follows:

National Waterways 1 or NW1

• Stretching from Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Haldia, it covers a distance of 1,620 km.
• National Waterway 1 passes through the Ganges, Bhagirathi, and Hooghly river systems, with permanent terminals at Haldia, Farakka, and Patna, and floating terminals in key riverside cities such as Kolkata, Bhagalpur, Varanasi, and Allahabad.
• It is the longest National Waterway in India.

National Waterways 2

• This stretch runs along the Brahmaputra River from Sadia to Dhubri in Assam.
• National Waterway 2 is a key route for freight transportation in northeast India and is the third-longest waterway, spanning 891 km.

National waterways 3 or the West Coast Canal

• Located in Kerala, it stretches from Kollam to Kottapuram.
• The 205 km long West Coast Canal is India’s first waterway with year-round navigation facilities.
• National Waterway 3 comprises the West Coast Canal, Champakara Canal, and Udyogamandal Canal, passing through Kottappuram, Cherthala, Thrikkunnapuzha, Kollam, and Alappuzha.

National Waterway 4

• It connects Kakinada to Pondicherry via canals, tanks, the Godavari River, and the Krishna River.
• National Waterway 4 is the second-longest waterway in India, spanning 1,095 km across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

National Waterway 5

• It links Odisha to West Bengal through the Brahmani River, East Coast Canal, Matai River, and Mahanadi River Delta.
• The 623 km long canal system is designed to manage cargo traffic, including coal, fertilizer, cement, and iron.

National waterway 6

• This proposed waterway in Assam will connect Lakhipur to Bhanga along the Barak River.
• The 121 km long waterway will facilitate trade between the town of Silchar and the state of Mizoram.

Ocean Routes and Ports in India

India, with its extensive coastline of approximately 7,517 km, is strategically positioned to leverage its maritime potential for trade and commerce. The country boasts a network of 13 major ports and around 200 minor ports, which are pivotal for its international trade and economic activities.

Significance of Ocean Transport

• Trade Volume: Over 90% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value is conducted via maritime transport.
• Cargo Handling: Major ports handle various types of cargo, including bulk commodities (44% iron ore, coal, and fertilizer), liquid cargo (33% petrol, oil, and lubricants), and containerized goods (23%).

Major Ports in India

1. Kolkata Port:The only major riverine port in India.The Kolkata Dock System (KDS) is located on the eastern bank, while the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) is situated on the western bank of the Hooghly River.
2. Paradip Port:Artificial deep-water port. Located in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal.First major port on the East Coast commissioned post-independence.
3. New Mangalore Port:Located in Panambur, Karnataka, at the confluence of the Gurupura River with the Arabian Sea. It serves as a significant port for handling cargo and petroleum products.
4. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva): Situated on the eastern shore of Mumbai Harbour and accessed through Thane Creek, it is India’s largest container port, managing nearly half of the container traffic from all major ports.
5. Kandla Port: Located on India’s western coast, it was established post-partition to replace Karachi Port and plays a crucial role in handling crude oil imports.
6. Chennai Port: Situated on the Bay of Bengal, it is the largest port in the region and the second-largest in India, following Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

Previous year questions

Prelims

Q. The North Atlantic Sea route is regarded as an important international trade route because

a) It is the oldest sea route

b) It connects two industrially developed parts

of the world

c) Trade winds will help the shipping

d) There are lesser number of sea storms in

this water way

Answer: b)

The North Atlantic Sea route is significant because it connects North America and Europe, both of which are major industrial and economic hubs. This route is one of the busiest sea routes for international trade due to the high volume of goods transported between these two regions.

Q.Which one of the following sets of states stands to benefit the most from the Konkan Railway? (1998)

a) Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala

b) Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

c) Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra

d) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa Tamil Nadu

Answer: a)

The Konkan Railway primarily passes through the coastal regions of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala, thus benefiting these states the most in terms of improved connectivity and transportation infrastructure.

Q. In India, the ports are categorized as major and non-major ports. Which one of the following is a non-major port? (2009)

(a) Kochi (Cochin)

(b) Dahej

(c) Paradip

(d) New Mangalore

Answer: b)

Dahej is a non-major port, while Kochi, Paradip, and New Mangalore are all classified as major ports in India.

Q. Which one of the following ports of India handles the highest tonnage of import cargo? (2000)

(a) Calcutta

(b) Kandla

(c) Mumbai

(d) Visakhapatnam

Answer: b)

Kandla Port (now known as Deendayal Port) handles the highest tonnage of import cargo in India due to its strategic location and its capacity to handle large volumes of bulk, liquid, and containerized cargo.

Q. Consider the following statement: (2004)

Among Indian States

1) Andhra Pradesh has the longest coastline.

2) Gujarat has the highest number of airports.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b)

Andhra Pradesh does not have the longest coastline; Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states.Gujarat has the highest number of airports in India

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2014)

National Highway          Cities connected

• NH4                   :        Chennai and Hyderabad
• NH 6                  :        Mumbai and Kolkata
• NH 15                :        Ahmedabad and Jodhpur

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None

Answer: b)

• NH 4 does not connect Chennai and Hyderabad. NH 4 (now part of NH 48) connects Mumbai and Chennai.
• NH 6 (now part of NH 53) does not directly connect Mumbai and Kolkata. It primarily connects Surat and Kolkata.
• NH 15 connects Ahmedabad and Jodhpur.

Q. If you travel by road from Kohima to Kottayam, what is the minimum number of States within India through which you can travel, including the origin and the destination? (2017)

(a) 6

(b) 7

(c) 8

(d) 9

Answer: c)

To travel by road from Kohima (Nagaland) to Kottayam (Kerala), the minimum number of states you would pass through, including the origin and destination, is 8. A possible route could be:Nagaland (Kohima), Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala (Kottayam)

Previous Year Mains

Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.(2016)

Ans: Solution

Introduction	Inland Water Transport (IWT) uses rivers, canals, and backwaters for transportation. Despite its potential, it remains underutilized in India due to various challenges.
Body	Problems: Inadequate Infrastructure: Lack of modern vessels, shallow depths, and insufficient cargo-handling facilities hinder the sector’s efficiency. Siltation and River Maintenance: Silt accumulation in rivers like the Ganga reduces navigability, requiring expensive and regular dredging. Poor Integration with Other Transport Modes: IWT lacks seamless connectivity with road and rail networks, causing logistical inefficiencies. Insufficient Investment: Limited public and private investment has delayed modernization and expansion of IWT infrastructure. Environmental Issues: River pollution and illegal sand mining disrupt the usability of waterways. Prospects: Cost-Effective and Energy Efficient: IWT is cheaper and requires less fuel per tonne-kilometer, especially for bulk goods. Environmentally Friendly: It produces lower emissions compared to road and rail transport, supporting sustainability. Government Initiatives: Policies like the National Waterways Act (2016) and the Jal Marg Vikas Project aim to promote IWT. Regional Trade Opportunities: Inland waterways can boost trade with neighboring countries like Bangladesh, especially in the northeastern region. Tourism and Passenger Transport: Scenic waterways, such as Kerala’s backwaters, hold potential for tourism, while ferries can enhance passenger transport.
Conclusion	IWT in India faces infrastructure and investment challenges, but it holds promise as a cost-effective, eco-friendly transport mode. Government initiatives and regional cooperation can unlock its full potential.