Question

All rivers and canals of northern India serve as inland waterway for transport of people and goods. The growth of this means of transport is however reduced or limited with time due to development of other means of transport. The Ganga and Brahmaputra in north India and all peninsular rivers in the deltaic region serve as inland waterways.

1. On what factors does the growth of this means of transport depend on?
2. Mention the disadvantages of this means of transport?

Answer 1

1. The growth of inland waterway transport depends on several factors:

   • The regular flow and depth of water in rivers and canals, which affects the effective navigation and carrying capacity of vessels.
   • The availability of navigable rivers and canals that connect important locations.
   • Seasonal variations in river flow, especially the dependence on monsoon rains which affect water levels.
   • The maintenance and infrastructure development of waterways and their connectivity with other modes of transport.
   • Commercial viability and modernisation of the fleet suitable for local conditions.
   • Avoidance of siltation and ensuring sufficient depth for navigation.

2. The disadvantages of inland waterway transport are:

   • It is a slow mode of transport that requires long travel hours, thus being time-consuming.
   • It is highly dependent on weather conditions; bad weather can capsize vessels or halt transport.
   • Limited accessibility, water transport is only possible in areas connected by navigable rivers, canals, or backwaters, thus not directly accessible to many interior locations.
   • Many waterways suffer from siltation, reducing effective depth and navigation.
   • Rivers are often seasonal, and failure of monsoon or floods can hinder water transport.
   • Inland waterways have poor connectivity to roads and railways, increasing inland transport costs and reducing efficiency.
   • Compared to road and rail transport, waterways are less developed and don’t keep pace with the demands of quick and flexible transport.