Test: India- Waterways - UPSC MCQ

There are 111 officially notified Inland National Waterways (NWs) in India identified for the purposes of inland water transport, as per The National Waterways Act, 2016. Out of the 111 NWs, 106 were created in 2016. The NW network covers around 20,275.5 km.

National Waterway 1 in India spans the Allahabad-Haldia stretch of the Ganges River, as well as the Bhagirath and Hooghly river system. It covers a length of 1,620 kilometers and serves as an important transportation corridor.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was established by the Government of India in October 1986. It serves as the legal authority responsible for managing and regulating the waterways in India.

National Waterway 5 in India encompasses the Talcher-Dhamra stretch of the Brahmani River, along with the Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of the East Coast Canal, the Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of the Matai River, and the Mangalgadi-Paradip stretch of the Mahanadi River Delta.

National Waterway 6 is a proposed waterway in India that will stretch from Lakhipur to Bhanga along the Barak River. As of now, it has not been established, but once completed, it will span a length of 121 kilometers.

The headquarters of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Noida serves as the central administrative hub for managing and overseeing India's waterways.

National Waterway 3 in India covers the Kottapuram-Kollam stretch of the West Coast Canal, along with the Champakara Canal and Udyogmandal Canal. It has a length of 205 kilometers.

National Waterway 4 in India was established in November 2008. It encompasses the Kakinada-Pondicherry stretch of canals, the Kaluvelly Tank, the Bhadrachalam-Rajahmundry stretch of the River Godavari, and the Wazirabad-Vijayawada stretch of the River Krishna.

National Waterway 2 in India covers the Sadiya-Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra River. It was established in September 1982 and spans a length of 891 kilometers.

India's inland waterways have an overall navigable length of 14,500 kilometers, consisting of rivers, backwaters, canals, and creeks. This extensive network plays a vital role in facilitating transportation and trade across the country.