Why in NEWS
National Waterway-57 (Kopili River) in Assam has been operationalised, enhancing Inland Water Transport (IWT) under Maritime India Vision 2030 and PM Gati Shakti. With this, four National Waterways in Assam—Brahmaputra (NW 2), Barak (NW 16), Dhansiri (NW 31), and Kopili (NW 57)—are fully operational.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term / Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Inland Waterways | Navigable rivers, lakes, and canals used for transporting goods and passengers, excluding the sea. |
| Inland Water Transport (IWT) | Movement of cargo and passengers through inland waterways like rivers and canals; cost-effective and eco-friendly. |
| IWAI | Inland Waterways Authority of India, set up in 1986 to regulate and develop inland waterways. |
| National Waterways Act, 2016 | Law declaring 111 inland waterways as National Waterways. |
| Inland Vessels Act, 2021 | Law for safety, efficiency, and modernisation of inland vessels. |
Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Criteria for National Waterway | 45 m wide channel, minimum 1.5 m depth, continuous stretch of at least 50 km (exceptions for urban/intra-port). |
| Growth of IWT | Operational NWs grew from 3 (2014-15) to 29 (2024-25); operational length from 2,716 km to 4,894 km; cargo from 18.07 MMT to 133 MMT (2013-14 to 2023-24). |
| Future Targets | Freight share to rise from 2% to 5% by 2030; 200+ MMT cargo by 2030; 500+ MMT by 2047. |
| Cost Advantage | IWT costs Rs 0.25-0.30 per ton-km vs. Rs 1 by rail and Rs 1.5 by road; fuel efficiency 105 ton-km per litre vs. 85 (rail) and 24 (road). |
| Environmental Benefit | Emits 32-36 g CO₂ per ton-km, far less than road transport (51-91 g). |
Challenges
| Challenge | Details |
|---|---|
| Seasonal Navigability | Rivers non-perennial, depth fluctuations limit year-round use. |
| Infrastructure Gaps | Lack of jetties, terminals, vessels, and navigational aids. |
| Inadequate Depth | Many waterways below required draft for large vessels. |
| Low Share in Trade | Only 3.5% of India’s trade moves via waterways vs. China (47%), Europe (40%). |
| High Siltation | Regular dredging needed; costly and environmentally disruptive. |
Key Initiatives
| Initiative | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Jalvahak-Cargo Promotion Scheme (2024) | 35% reimbursement of operational costs to shift cargo from road/rail to IWT. |
| Extension of Tonnage Tax | Boost private investment in IWT. |
| Port Integration | Link multi-modal terminals to IWT. |
| Digitisation | Unified portal for vessel and crew registration. |
| Projects | Sagarmala, Jal Marg Vikas, PM Gati Shakti, DFCs for better cargo movement. |
Measures to Improve IWT
| Measure | Focus |
|---|---|
| Integrated Infrastructure | Link IWT with rail, road, and coastal networks; revive dormant waterways. |
| Private Participation | PPP in vessels, terminals, cargo handling; inland waterways development funds. |
| Cargo & Passenger Boost | Integrate with economic hubs; expand cruise and ferry services. |
| Capacity Building | Skill riverine workforce; promote livelihoods in navigation communities. |
In a Nutshell
Mnemonic: “WAVE 57”
W – Waterway expansion (NW-57)
A – Assam now has 4 fully operational NWs
V – Vision 2030 target of 200+ MMT cargo
E – Eco-friendly & cost-effective transport
57 – NW number for Kopili River
Prelims Questions
- Which agency is responsible for developing and regulating National Waterways in India?
a) Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
b) Inland Waterways Authority of India
c) Shipping Corporation of India
d) Central Water Commission - Which Act declared 111 waterways as National Waterways?
a) Inland Vessels Act, 2021
b) National Waterways Act, 2016
c) Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985
d) Maritime Zones Act, 1976 - Which of the following is NOT a National Waterway in Assam?
a) Brahmaputra
b) Barak
c) Kopili
d) Subarnarekha
Mains Questions
- Discuss the potential of Inland Water Transport in reducing India’s logistics costs and achieving Maritime India Vision 2030 goals. 10 Marks
- Critically examine the challenges in operationalising National Waterways in India and suggest measures to overcome them. 15 Marks
Prelims Answers & Explanations
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | b | IWAI was set up in 1986 for development and regulation of National Waterways. |
| 2 | b | The National Waterways Act, 2016 declared 111 waterways as National Waterways. |
| 3 | d | Subarnarekha is not in Assam; it flows through Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. |
