Introduction

• Port performance in an economy is crucial for trade competitiveness of that economy. Expansion of port capacity has been accorded the highest priority by the Government through implementation of well-conceived infrastructure development projects. 
• Inland Waterways: Inland waterway is a network of rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks that can be utilised for transportation instead of or in addition to roads and rails. It is the cheapest mode of transport.

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Significance

• Eco-friendly mode of transport
• Cheaper means of transport
• Low maintenance and operation costs
• Least energy consumption required
• Suitable for heavy and bulky goods
• Less or no frictional force compared to roads and railways

Issues/Challenges

• Cost Estimation Challenges:
  • Comparing operating costs per ton-km between Inland Water Transport (IWT) and rail/road transport is debatable.
  • Freight costs on roads or railways may not differ significantly from IWT due to straight road routes versus winding river routes.
  • Loading and unloading costs increase due to mode changes for last-mile delivery.
• Waterway Issues:
  • Inadequate Draught Levels: Many Indian rivers lack sufficient water levels, requiring extensive dredging for navigation.
  • Siltation Problem: Siltation reduces river depth and water availability, complicating navigation.
• Trans-shipment Port Issues:
  • The absence of transshipment ports in India results in additional costs and delays, forcing containers to be transshipped through ports like Colombo, Singapore, Dubai, and Salalah.
• Regulatory Issues for Inland Waterways:
  • Governance by various States’ Ferries Acts until 2021 created barriers to inland navigation.
• Environmental Concerns:
  • Environmental degradation leads to extreme weather events like super cyclones, causing tree uprooting, erosion, river pollution, and increased siltation, which hampers navigation.

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Conclusion

Ports and waterways are crucial for India’s economic growth, but challenges like infrastructure gaps, regulatory hurdles, and environmental concerns must be addressed. Strengthening these sectors will improve trade competitiveness and sustainable transportation.