ADVERTISEMENTS:
As per an estimate of Ministry of Transport, Government of India, the length of nine inland waterways of India is 19,000 km, out of which 14,500 km long are of rivers and 4,000 km are of canals. Out of total navigable ways, 10,000 km waterways remain fit for navigation throughout the year whereas, the remaining 5,000 km are fit for navigation only for a few months.
Steamers ply in 3 500 km mechanically propelled boats ply in 2,500 km in rivers, and large local boats can play in the remaining 5,700 km long way. Like other means of transport, inland waterways also have some advantages and weaknesses.
Weaknesses:
1. In most of the rivers of India, floods are caused during rainy season when water current is so torrential that it becomes difficult to ply boats.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
2. Most of the rivers remain dry during the summer and whatever water becomes available in rivers, it is used for supply of water to the vast canal system during the beginning of winter and summer seasons. Due to use of river water for irrigation, there remains no water for navigation during the summer season.
3. Rivers of the South India flow in rocky areas, hence they are not fit for plying boats because there are waterfalls in the way.
4. As compared to boats, railways are quicker, safer and cheaper means of transport.
5. Sometimes rivers also change their way and due to that only a small stream flows on one side and cannot be used for navigation. On banks of most of the rivers, thick layer of sand is deposited. Hence, loaded steamers or boats can reach the bank with great difficulty.
6. Almost all rivers fall from shallow and sandy deltas. Hence, ships cannot sail from sea shores to inland parts.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Advantages:
1. Inland navigation has been considered as the cheapest means of transport among the methods of transport. Initial investment on river services as well as expenditure on their maintenance is much lesser as compared to road and rail transport.
2. For more load and long journey, transport through waterways is cheaper than rail and road transport.
3. It is considered as the most useful method from the point of view of energy saving. One horse power can carry 4,000 kilogram load in water whereas, it can carry 150 kilogram and 500 kilogram load by road and rail respectively.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
4. Water transport is most useful for heavy loads.
5. In north-east India, road and rail transport is blocked during rains. It is also difficult to construct roads or railways in these areas. Hence, water transport is more suitable in such region.
6. There is lesser pollution in water transport.