Understanding National Waterway No. 1

National Waterway No. 1 (NW-1) is a very important inland waterway in India. It is one of the major waterways used for transportation of goods and people within the country.

Route of National Waterway No. 1

The National Waterway No. 1 is officially known as the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system. It connects two significant places along this river stretch. Understanding the exact starting and ending points is crucial for this question.

Analyzing the Options for National Waterway No. 1 Route

Let's look at the given options:

• Option 1: Haridwar and Kolkata
• Option 2: Kanpur and Haldia
• Option 3: Allahabad and Haldia
• Option 4: Haridwar and Haldia

National Waterway No. 1 connects Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal. This waterway covers a long distance along the Ganga river and its distributaries.

Identifying the Correct Terminals of National Waterway No. 1

Based on the official declaration and mapping of National Waterway No. 1, its route is from Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Haldia. This route covers approximately 1620 kilometers.

• Haridwar is much further upstream on the Ganga than the starting point of NW-1.
• Kanpur is also on the Ganga, but it is between Allahabad and Haridwar, and not the official starting point of NW-1.
• Kolkata is near Haldia but Haldia is the designated terminal port for NW-1.

Therefore, the correct option identifying the stretch of National Waterway No. 1 is Allahabad to Haldia.

Summary of National Waterway No. 1

This table clearly shows that National Waterway No. 1 extends from Allahabad to Haldia.

Conclusion on National Waterway No. 1 Route

The National Waterway No. 1 is the longest inland waterway in India and runs from Allahabad (Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal along the Ganga, Bhagirathi, and Hooghly rivers. This makes option 3 the correct answer.

Revision Table: Key National Waterways

Additional Information on Inland Waterways in India

Inland waterways are rivers, lakes, canals, and other water bodies that are navigable by boats and ships, located within a country's borders. They play a significant role in transportation, especially for bulk cargo, as they are often considered more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to road or rail transport.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for the development and maintenance of inland waterways for navigation and shipping in India. The declaration of a waterway as a National Waterway signifies its importance for navigation and trade, and the central government takes over its management.

Major benefits of using inland waterways include:

• Cost-effective transportation, particularly for large volumes of goods.
• Reduced fuel consumption compared to road or rail per ton-kilometer.
• Lower environmental impact, including less air pollution and noise.
• Reduced congestion on roads and railways.

India has a vast network of rivers and canals, offering significant potential for the expansion of inland water transport. The government is focusing on developing and improving these waterways to enhance multimodal transportation and boost economic activity along riverine regions.