Question

What factors affect the growth and development of inland waterways in India?

Answer 1

Hint: So inland waterways is any type of water body which lies inside the territories of a country and unlike seas and oceans inland waterways does not cross borders and shares territory with other countries. The examples of inland waterways can be lakes, rivers etc.

Complete answer:
In order to look after the matters of inland waterways, the government of India established Inland Waterways Authority of India also known as IWAI, in the October of nineteen eighty six. The job of this newly established institution was to look out for the regulation and development of inland waterways to provide for navigation and shipping. Another duty of this authority is to work on the establishment of numerous infrastructural development going on in the national water bodies. It also helps all the states in the development of Inland Water Transport also known as IWT. In order to acquire fleets of IWT for transportation of passengers and cargo Inland Waterways Authority of India gives subsidy to Inland Water Transport operators.

In the year of two thousand fifteen the National Waterways Bill was introduced in the parliament and it paid a lot of importance to the establishment of transportation networks using waterways. According to the bill, there is a serious need to construct terminals that are well equipped so that they could be useful in connecting to other modes of transport. Under this a plan a scheme has been planned under which around one hundred one rivers will be converted into national waterways so as to build a water transport network just like national highways. It visualizes decongestion of the rail and street organization, with open doors for private companies in the improvement of waterways.

Other than that if there will be enough presence of continuous flow of water in canals and rivers, then inland waterways would definitely prosper. However, the existence of sharp bends, cataracts, and waterfalls in the course of rivers can definitely work against the development of inland waterways. When the flow of the river is diverted for irrigation and agricultural purposes then it has a negative effect on the development of inland waterways since diversion reduces water quantity.

Note:The Inland Water Transport has the ability to provide for the relaxation of overly burdened rail and road transport systems. Other than that Inland Water Transport is very cost effective, environment friendly and fuel efficient unlike other modes of transport.