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)

National Waterway-4 (NW-4) is one of India's longest declared national waterways, extending about 2,890 km across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Puducherry. It includes stretches of the Godavari and Krishna Rivers, along with the Buckingham, Kakinada, Eluru, and Commamur canals. NW-4 improves connectivity between ports, agricultural regions, and industrial centers. It facilitates the transport of food grains, fertilizers, coal, cement, and other bulk cargo. This waterway reduces transportation costs, enhances regional trade, encourages tourism, and supports economic growth through efficient inland water transport.

5. National Waterway-5 (NW-5)

National Waterway-5 (NW-5) is located in Odisha and West Bengal. It includes the East Coast Canal, Brahmani River, Mahanadi Delta, and Matai River, covering approximately 588 km. The waterway serves mining, industrial, and agricultural regions by transporting coal, iron ore, fertilizers, and industrial products. NW-5 connects mineral-rich areas with major ports, reducing logistics costs and improving trade efficiency. It also promotes environmentally friendly transport compared to road and rail networks. Development of NW-5 is expected to strengthen regional industries, increase employment opportunities, and improve inland water transport infrastructure.

Major Ports of India

6. Kolkata Port (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port)

Kolkata Port, officially known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, is India's oldest operating major port, established in 1870. Located on the Hooghly River in West Bengal, it is the only major riverine port in India. The port serves eastern and northeastern India as well as neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. It handles containers, coal, petroleum products, fertilizers, food grains, and engineering goods. Due to continuous silt deposition in the Hooghly River, regular dredging is required for navigation. Kolkata Port plays a significant role in India's international trade and economic development.

7. Paradip Port

Paradip Port, located in Odisha, is one of India's major deep-water ports on the eastern coast. It was developed to reduce the burden on Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports. Paradip primarily handles bulk cargo such as iron ore, coal, crude oil, fertilizers, and thermal coal. It serves mineral-rich regions of eastern India and supports exports to countries like Japan and South Korea. The port has modern cargo-handling facilities and contributes significantly to India's maritime trade. Paradip is an important hub for industrial development, mineral exports, and economic growth in eastern India.

8. Visakhapatnam Port

Visakhapatnam Port, located in Andhra Pradesh, is one of India's largest and deepest natural ports. Situated on the Bay of Bengal, it handles a wide variety of cargo, including iron ore, petroleum products, coal, fertilizers, steel, and containers. Its natural harbor allows large ships to dock safely throughout the year. The port serves central and eastern India and supports both domestic and international trade. Equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced cargo-handling facilities, Visakhapatnam Port plays a crucial role in India's maritime economy and industrial development while contributing significantly to export and import activities.

9. Kamarajar (Ennore) Port

Kamarajar Port, formerly known as Ennore Port, is located near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is India's first corporatized major port and was developed to reduce congestion at Chennai Port. The port specializes in handling coal, petroleum products, automobiles, liquefied natural gas (LNG), containers, and industrial cargo. With modern mechanized facilities and deep berths, it efficiently handles large vessels. Kamarajar Port supports thermal power plants, automobile exports, and industrial growth in southern India. Its strategic location and advanced infrastructure make it one of India's fastest-growing and most efficient ports.

10. V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin) Port

V.O. Chidambaranar Port, formerly known as Tuticorin Port, is located in Tamil Nadu on the Gulf of Mannar. It is one of India's leading artificial deep-sea ports and an important container-handling port in southern India. The port handles containers, coal, fertilizers, salt, sugar, petroleum products, and industrial goods. It serves Tamil Nadu's industries and facilitates international trade with Southeast Asian countries. Modern cargo terminals, excellent connectivity, and efficient port operations have made Tuticorin a major maritime gateway. The port significantly contributes to India's exports, imports, and economic development.

11. Chennai Port

Chennai Port, located on the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu, is India's second-oldest major port and one of the busiest artificial ports. It handles automobiles, containers, petroleum products, machinery, fertilizers, and general cargo. Chennai Port is a major hub for automobile exports, earning the nickname "Detroit of India" due to the large number of vehicles shipped worldwide. It has excellent road, rail, and inland connectivity, supporting industries across southern India. The port plays a vital role in international trade, logistics, manufacturing, and economic growth while serving as an important gateway for exports and imports.