INDIA’S MOST FAMOUS WATERWAY & RIVERS

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

INDIA’S MOST FAMOUS WATERWAY & RIVERS

1. National Waterway-1 (NW-1) – Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly River System

National Waterway-1 (NW-1) is India's longest operational national waterway, stretching about 1,620 km from Prayagraj (Allahabad) to Haldia. It passes through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal along the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system. Declared a National Waterway in 1986, it is managed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). NW-1 facilitates cargo transportation, reduces road congestion, lowers transportation costs, and promotes eco-friendly transport. Major commodities transported include coal, cement, food grains, fertilizers, and fly ash. It plays a vital role in improving inland navigation, trade, tourism, and regional economic development.

2. National Waterway-2 (NW-2) – Brahmaputra River

National Waterway-2 (NW-2) extends for about 891 km along the Brahmaputra River from Dhubri to Sadiya in Assam. It is one of India's most important inland waterways in the Northeast region. The waterway supports the transport of tea, coal, petroleum products, food grains, timber, and construction materials. It also improves connectivity with Bangladesh through inland water transport agreements. NW-2 reduces transportation costs, promotes regional trade, and strengthens economic development in Assam. The river also supports passenger ferries and tourism, making it an important component of sustainable transport in northeastern India.

3. National Waterway-3 (NW-3) – West Coast Canal

National Waterway-3 (NW-3) is located in Kerala and covers about 205 km of the West Coast Canal, Champakara Canal, and Udyogmandal Canal. It connects important commercial centers such as Kollam and Kottapuram. The waterway transports fertilizers, coal, construction materials, coconut products, and agricultural goods. It is also popular for passenger transport and Kerala's famous backwater tourism. NW-3 helps reduce traffic congestion on roads, lowers pollution, and promotes environmentally friendly transportation. It plays an important role in supporting Kerala's economy through trade, tourism, fisheries, and inland water navigation.

4. National Waterway-4 (NW-4)