Inland Waterways in India: An Overview

Why in news?

Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates a new inland waterways terminal at Jogighopa; 110 MT of coal, stone chips sent to Bangladesh.

Introduction

• India’s inland waterways, spanning over 14,500 km, comprise rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks.
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in 1986, is responsible for developing and regulating these waterways for navigation and shipping.
• The National Waterways Act, 2016, declared 111 waterways as National Waterways (NWs) to promote Inland Water Transport (IWT), a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation.

History of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in India

• Ancient & Medieval Period: Rivers were the primary mode of trade and transport.
• British Era: Inland waterways played a crucial role in cargo movement, particularly for commodities like jute and tea.
• Post-Independence: The focus shifted to road and rail transport, leading to the decline of IWT.
• 1986: IWAI was established to revive and develop inland waterways.
• 2016: The National Waterways Act was passed to boost water-based transportation.

Designated National Waterways

• The National Waterways Act, 2016, designated 111 waterways as National Waterways.
• Out of these, 25 have been identified as viable for cargo/passenger movement, and development has been initiated in 13.
• Key national waterways include:

Current Status of Inland Waterways in India

• Operational Waterways: 13 National Waterways are currently used for commercial shipping and passenger transport.
• Cargo Movement: Around 55 million tonnes of cargo are transported annually via inland waterways.
• Infrastructure Development: Includes fairways, navigation aids, terminals, and dredging operations.
• Regulations: IWAI enforces safety regulations and maintains waterways.
• Key Focus Areas: Development of multimodal transport hubs, improved connectivity, and private sector participation.

Advantages of Inland Waterways

• Cost-Effectiveness: 60% cheaper than road transport and 20-30% cheaper than rail transport (World Bank).
• Fuel Efficiency: Energy consumption per ton-km is 17% of road transport and 50% of rail transport.
• Eco-Friendliness: Emits 10 times less CO2 than road transport.
• Employment Generation: Labor-intensive industry providing jobs in vessel operation, river conservancy, and terminal maintenance.
• Reduced Road & Rail Congestion: Enhances overall transportation efficiency by decongesting existing networks.
• Tourism & Economic Growth: Development of cruise tourism and related industries like shipbuilding.

Challenges of Inland Waterways

• Navigational Hazards: Shallow waters, siltation, erosion, and lack of navigational aids hinder smooth movement.
• Environmental Concerns: Dredging and construction of barrages disrupt aquatic ecosystems and water quality.
• Intermodal Connectivity Issues: Poor integration with roads and railways limits efficient cargo movement.
• Jurisdiction & Governance: Regulatory overlap between central and state governments slows decision-making.
• Water Flow Variability: Diversion for irrigation and industrial use reduces navigability.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Lack of terminals, jetties, and maintenance facilities.
• Limited Private Sector Participation: High initial investment costs deter private investment.

Government Initiatives

• Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): Launched for the development of NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly) with World Bank assistance.
• Sagarmala Project: Aims to integrate inland waterways with coastal shipping for better logistics efficiency.
• Project Arth Ganga: Focuses on economic development along NW-1 through community participation.
• Inland Vessels Act, 2021: Establishes a uniform regulatory framework for vessel construction, operation, and safety.
• Maritime India Vision 2030: Aims to increase cargo traffic to 2,570 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030.
• National Waterways Act, 2016: Declared 111 waterways as National Waterways for improved governance and development.

SWOT Analysis of Inland Water Transport

Way Forward

• Infrastructure Development: Construct modern terminals, jetties, and navigation aids.
• Integration with Multimodal Transport: Improve connectivity with road, rail, and coastal shipping.
• Revival of Obsolete Jetties: Upgrade and operationalize existing jetties to enhance efficiency.
• Incentives for Private Participation: Provide tax benefits, subsidies, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.
• Technological Innovation: Develop low-cost, shallow-draft vessels for better navigation.
• Policy & Governance Reforms: Strengthen coordination between central and state governments.
• Ecological Conservation Measures: Implement sustainable dredging and eco-friendly vessel technologies.

International Collaboration: Enhance trade through waterways with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.