Question

“Despite the presence of several perennial rivers in India, inland waterways are limited to a few areas only.” Support the above statement with suitable arguments, giving suitable examples wherever necessary.

Answer 1

1. Unnavigable Rivers: Many rivers in India have irregular water flow, shallow depth, or are seasonal. For example, rivers in the peninsular region like the Godavari and Krishna become difficult to navigate during dry seasons.
2. Obstructions in Rivers: Natural barriers such as waterfalls, rapids, and shifting riverbeds (especially in the Himalayan rivers) hinder smooth navigation.
3. Siltation and Sandbanks: Rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra carry heavy silt, which deposits and creates sandbanks, making navigation challenging and requiring constant dredging.
4. Lack of Infrastructure: There is insufficient investment in ports, jetties, and vessels. For example, while National Waterway-1 (Ganga from Allahabad to Haldia) has potential, its use is still limited due to poor infrastructure.
5. Competition from Roads and Railways: Road and rail transport are faster, more reliable, and better connected to production and consumption centers.

Due to these challenges, inland water transport is largely limited to areas like the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly system, Brahmaputra, and Kerala backwaters, where natural and physical conditions are more favorable.