Describe the inland navigation waterways in India. What are its advan¬tages ?
India has inland navigation waterways of 14,500 km in length. Out of these only 3,700 km are navigable by mechanised boats. National waterways : The following waterways have been declared as the National Waterways by the government: The Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia (1,620 km) — N.W. No. 1. The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km) — N.W. No. 2. The West-Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapurma-Komman, Udyogamandal and Champakkara canals – 205 km) — N.W. No. 3. The other inland waterways include the Godavari, Krishna, Barak, Sunderbans, Buckingham canal, Brahmani. East-West Buckingham canal, Brahmani. East-West canal and Damodar Valley Corporation Canal. (2) The advantages of waterways are as given below : Waterways are the cheapest means of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. It is a fuel-efficient transport. It is environment friendly mode of transport.
