Question

Describe briefly the most important inland waterway of India.

Answer 1

The most important inland waterway of India is National Waterway 1 (NW 1), which is the Allahabad-Haldia stretch of the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system. This waterway spans about 1,620 km and is navigable by mechanical boats up to Haridwar. For development purposes, it is divided into three parts: Haldia-Farakka (560 km), Farakka-Patna (460 km), and Patna-Allahabad (600 km). NW 1 is one of the busiest waterways and plays a critical role in transporting goods and passengers, harnessing the natural river system for navigation. This waterway is crucial for the movement of bulky and heavy materials in an economical and fuel-efficient manner.