Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Introduce Inland Waterways in India: Mention that India has an extensive inland waterway network covering 15,000 km across 24 states and 2 Union Territories, which includes rivers, creeks, estuaries, and canals.
• Importance of Inland Waterways: Highlight the potential of inland waterways as an alternative mode of transportation for goods, focusing on cost-efficiency, environmental benefits, and regional connectivity.

Body of the Answer

Benefits of Utilizing Inland Waterways:

1. Cost Reduction in Transportation:
   • Key Point: Inland waterways offer a cheaper alternative to road and rail transport.
   • Fact: “One liter of fuel can move 24 tons of cargo for 1 km on road, 95 km on rail, and 215 km on inland waterways.”
   • Explanation: This highlights the superior cost efficiency of waterways, which can significantly reduce the cost of moving goods across regions.
2. Environmentally Friendly:
   • Key Point: Water transport reduces road congestion and minimizes vehicular pollution.
   • Fact: Shifting cargo from roads to waterways helps reduce emissions and pollution, benefiting both the environment and public health.
   • Explanation: By easing traffic congestion and cutting down fuel consumption, waterways contribute to cleaner air and more sustainable transportation.
3. Boost Economic Integration:
   • Key Point: Inland waterways enhance regional connectivity and economic integration.
   • Fact: Connecting waterways with major infrastructure projects such as the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) and the Sagarmala Project boosts seamless multimodal transport.
   • Example: Kaladan Multi-Modal Project—this project links India’s North-Eastern states to Southeast Asia, improving connectivity and trade opportunities.
4. Multiplier Effect and Linkages:
   • Key Point: Investment in inland waterways can drive growth in other sectors like port development, boat-building, and ancillary industries.
   • Fact: Development of ports, terminals, and related infrastructure will create jobs and foster economic growth in regional areas.

Challenges of Utilizing Inland Waterways:

1. Lack of Continuous Connectivity:
   • Key Point: Inland waterway networks lack seamless connectivity across regions.
   • Fact: A cargo vessel got stuck in 2018 near Ramrekha Ghat (Bihar) due to shallow waters, highlighting gaps in navigability.
   • Explanation: Many sections of the waterway network face interruptions, limiting their potential for consistent transportation.
2. Inadequate Water Channel Depth:
   • Key Point: Shallow waterways and seasonal variations make large-scale transportation difficult.
   • Fact: Around 20 out of the 111 national waterways are unviable due to insufficient depth caused by siltation and fluctuating water levels.
   • Explanation: This limits the types of vessels that can use these waterways, impacting the overall efficiency of inland water transport.
3. High Turnaround Time:
   • Key Point: Slow cargo handling and inefficient port infrastructure lead to high turnaround times at ports.
   • Fact: Lack of modern handling equipment and terminal facilities at ports result in delays, leading to congestion and inefficiency.
   • Explanation: This further reduces the competitiveness of inland water transport as a reliable mode of cargo movement.

Conclusion

• Summary: While inland waterways offer considerable benefits such as cost reduction, environmental sustainability, and economic integration, challenges like connectivity, channel depth, and port infrastructure need to be addressed to fully capitalize on this mode of transportation.
• Way Forward: Suggest that developing a comprehensive strategy to improve infrastructure, connectivity, and port facilities will be key to making inland waterways a viable transportation option in the long term.

Key Facts to Include:

1. Coverage: Inland waterways cover approximately 15,000 km across 24 states and 2 UTs.
2. Transportation Cost: “1 liter of fuel moves 24 tons on road, 95 tons on rail, and 215 tons on waterways” (cost efficiency).
3. Kaladan Multi-Modal Project: An example of improved regional connectivity for Northeast India.
4. Cargo Incident: A cargo vessel got stuck in 2018 near Ramrekha Ghat due to shallow water.
5. Waterway Depth: 20 out of 111 national waterways are unviable due to insufficient depth.
6. High Turnaround Time: Delays caused by inadequate handling equipment and port facilities.