Inland water transport in India holds immense potential as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, it is confronted with a myriad of challenges that impede its full realization. One prominent issue is the inadequate infrastructure development, characterized by outdated navigation channels, insufficient terminals, and the absence of modern equipment. The waterways often face siltation, limiting vessel draft and hampering smooth navigation. Additionally, the seasonal variations in water levels pose a significant challenge, leading to disruptions in services and making certain stretches unnavigable during low-flow periods. Regulatory complexities and bureaucratic hurdles further hinder the sector’s growth, discouraging private investment and innovation.
Tag: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent).
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try to write about the importance of Water based transport.
- In Body, emphasise on two aspects i.e., The problems of inland water transport in India and the prospects of inland water transport in India.
- Conclude with mentioning the measures like micro-level review to assess viability need to be done.
Answer:
Water based transport is effective as operating costs of fuel are low and environmental pollution is lower than for corresponding volumes of movement by road, rail, or air. Inland water transport is most promising and the cheapest modes of transport in India. India is estimated to have nearly 14,500 km of navigable inland waterways, even though the exploitation of the sector has remained neglected as most waterways in the country require constant dredging on account of heavy silting and draft is available only seasonally.
The Problems of Inland Water Transport in India:
- Inadequate Infrastructure: India’s inland water transport faces challenges due to a lack of well-developed and maintained waterways, ports, and terminals. According to the Ministry of Shipping, as of 2021, only about 5,000 kilometres of the country’s vast network of rivers and canals are commercially navigable.
Example: The National Waterway-1, also known as the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system, is an important inland waterway in India.
- Seasonal Variations: Seasonal variations in water levels significantly impact inland water transport. For instance, during the dry season, water levels in major rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra can decrease by up to 4-5 metres, hindering navigation. This affects the reliability of inland waterways as a year-round transportation mode.
Example: The Brahmaputra River is a major waterway in Northeast India, but it faces significant challenges during the dry season.
- Limited Connectivity: Inland water transport often lacks efficient multimodal integration with road and rail networks. The World Bank reports that only about 0.1% of India’s cargo is transported via inland waterways, mainly due to the lack of efficient connectivity with other transportation modes.
Example: The Godavari River, the second-longest river in India, has the potential to be an important inland waterway. However, it lacks efficient multimodal connectivity with other transportation modes.
- Aging Fleet: The inland water transport fleet in India is relatively old and outdated. According to a study by the Ministry of Shipping, as of 2022, the average age of Indian-flagged vessels was about 28 years, which leads to operational inefficiencies and higher maintenance costs.
Example: many cargo barges and boats operating on the National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra River) have been in service for decades. The aging fleet not only affects the efficiency and reliability of transportation but also poses safety risks for crew members and cargo.
- Regulatory Challenges: Inland water transport faces regulatory challenges, including complex bureaucratic processes, unclear policies, and overlapping jurisdictions among different government agencies. These issues hamper the ease of doing business and discourage private investment in the sector.
Example:The development of the National Waterway-4 (Godavari-Krishna River System) has been overlapping jurisdictions of different government agencies and unclear policies have delayed infrastructure projects and discouraged private sector investments.
The Prospects of Inland Water Transport in India: The Government of India has approved the enactment of National Waterways Act 2016 for declaring 101 additional Inland Waterways as National Waterways (NW) for navigation, which would transform the inland waterways system in the country. Here is key points of prospect of inland water transport in India:
- Expansive Waterway Network: India has an extensive network of rivers, canals, and backwaters, totaling approximately 14,500 kilometres of navigable inland waterways. The potential of this vast network presents opportunities for cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation of goods and passengers.
Example: The Ganges River is a part of the National Waterway-1 (NW-1), and the Jal Marg Vikas Project is being implemented to enhance its navigational capacity and improve connectivity between Varanasi and Haldia.
- Government Initiatives: The Government of India has launched several initiatives to promote inland water transport and develop the country’s waterway infrastructure.
Example: One such initiative is the Jal Marg Vikas Project, which aims to enhance the capacity and efficiency of National Waterway-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system).
- National Waterway Development: India has declared several waterways as “National Waterways” to facilitate their development and utilisation for inland navigation. As of 2021, a total of 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways, which are at various stages of development.
Example: By improving infrastructure and connectivity on NW-2, the government aims to tap into the transport potential of the Brahmaputra River, linking the northeastern states with the rest of the country and promoting trade and economic development in the region.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Inland water transport is considered a cost-effective mode of transportation compared to road and rail transport. It has the potential to reduce logistics costs and enhance overall economic competitiveness.
Example: transporting bulky and heavy goods like coal and construction materials via waterways can significantly reduce transportation costs compared to road or rail transport.
- Environmentally Friendly: Inland water transport is a more environmentally friendly option compared to road and rail transport, as it produces lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduces road congestion.
Example: The National Waterway-1 (NW-1), also known as the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system, exemplifies the environmental benefits of inland water transport in India.
An effective waterways network would necessitate drawing up a well-coordinated strategy on lines of complementarity between the national network and other waterways. The said strategy should closely look into the various undercurrents, including competing uses/needs, possible local resistance and also work closely and in coordination with local governments for quick and successful implementation of this important national project.
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