National Waterways & Inland Navigation
Inland water transport represents an energy-efficient and cost-effective mode of commercial freight transit across India's navigable river and canal systems. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in 1986 and headquartered in Noida, serves as the statutory nodal body for inland navigation infrastructure. The National Waterways Act, 2016, amalgamated earlier waterways and declared 111 inland waterways as National Waterways (NWs). Prominent arteries include NW-1 spanning 1,620 km along the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Prayagraj to Haldia, NW-2 covering 891 km along the Brahmaputra River from Dhubri to Sadiya, and NW-3 along the West Coast Canal in Kerala. Competitive exam questions focus on waterway stretches, associated river basins, and multi-modal terminals.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- The National Waterways Act, 2016 declared a total of 111 inland waterways across India as National Waterways.
- National Waterway 1 (NW-1) covers 1,620 km along the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system between Prayagraj and Haldia.
- National Waterway 2 (NW-2) spans 891 km on the Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam.
- The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.