The National Waterway 1 or NW-1 or Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system is located in India and runs from Haldia (Sagar) to Prayagraj across the Ganges, Bhagirathi and Hooghly river systems. It is 1,620 km (1,010 mi) long, making it the longest waterway in India.

Hello Manu,

It stretches from Allahabad to Haldia with a length of 1,620 km. It is one of the most important waterways in India, which is navigable by mechanical boats up to Patna and by ordinary boats up to Haridwar.

It is divided into three parts for developmental purposes :

【】Haldia-Farakka (560 km),
【】Farakka-Patna (460 km),
【】Patna-Allahabad (600 km)

Thanks for asking the question, keep learning.

National Waterway No.1: Overview and Importance

National Waterway No.1 (NW1) is a major inland waterway in India. It is officially known as the River Ganga Waterway, as it runs along the Ganges river. NW1 is a critical transportation route that connects Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh. This waterway spans a distance of approximately 1,620 kilometers and is the longest waterway in India.

Significance of NW1:
- NW1 plays a crucial role in promoting inland water transportation and reducing road congestion. It provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective mode of transportation for goods and passengers.
- It serves as a key link to several major cities and industrial hubs located along the Ganges, such as Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, and Allahabad. This enhances connectivity and facilitates trade and commerce in the region.
- NW1 has immense potential for boosting tourism. It passes through several historical and cultural cities, offering scenic views and opportunities for leisure cruises. This helps in promoting tourism and generating revenue.
- The development of NW1 has also led to the establishment of integrated logistics hubs and inland ports along its route. These hubs act as transshipment points, facilitating the movement of cargo between different modes of transportation, including railways and roads.
- NW1 is a part of the larger National Waterway Network, which aims to develop a total of 111 waterways across India. This network will provide a comprehensive and interconnected system for efficient inland water transportation throughout the country.

Government Initiatives and Future Plans:
- The development and maintenance of NW1 are carried out by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), which is responsible for the promotion and regulation of inland waterways in the country.
- The government has undertaken significant initiatives to improve the infrastructure and navigability of NW1. This includes dredging the riverbed, constructing terminals, and ensuring adequate depth for vessels to navigate smoothly.
- The implementation of multimodal terminals and the introduction of Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) services have further enhanced the efficiency and accessibility of NW1.
- The government plans to invest in modernizing and expanding NW1 to accommodate larger vessels, thereby increasing its capacity and improving the overall transportation system.
- Efforts are also being made to ensure the safety and security of the waterway, including the installation of aids to navigation and the establishment of emergency response systems.

In conclusion, National Waterway No.1 (NW1) is a crucial transportation route that runs along the Ganges river in India. With its immense potential for promoting inland water transportation, boosting tourism, and facilitating trade, NW1 plays a vital role in the country's economic development. The government's initiatives and future plans aim to further enhance the infrastructure and navigability of NW1, making it an efficient and sustainable mode of transportation.