India's Inland Waterways
Rivers as Highways
Why inland waterways can move bulk freight cheaply with low emissions, why India uses them far less than China, Europe or the US, and the 111 national waterways declared in 2016.
Rivers can carry freight.
Advantages
- Cheaper per tonne-km for bulk goods.
- Lower fuel use and emissions.
- Less road congestion.
India’s low use
Waterways carry a very small share of India’s freight, far below China, the Netherlands or Germany.
National Waterways Act
In 2016, India declared 111 national waterways, up from 5.
IWAI
The Inland Waterways Authority of India, set up in 1986, develops waterways.
Growth
Cargo on national waterways has grown sharply since 2016, from a low base.
The coal barge
A barge carries coal on the Ganga, replacing many truck trips.
Thinking India uses rivers heavily for freight
Their share is very small.
Key takeaways
- Waterways are cheap and clean for bulk freight.
- India uses them far less than others.
- 111 national waterways were declared in 2016.
- IWAI develops them.
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