Examine the role of Inland Waterways Authority of India. Explain why inland water transport is an important mode of transport.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the statutory authority which has the charge of the waterways in India and it was started in 1986. This was mainly started for the maintenance and regulation of the waterways in India. The headquarters of this authority is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Its main role of this authority is to build the necessary infrastructure in the waterways, ensuring the economic feasibility of new projects and also administration. According to the IWAI, the national waterways are categorized into NW1, NW2, NW3, NW4 and NW5.

Importance of inland waterways

• Cheapest mode of transportation

Compared to road and railways, the waterways are much cheaper. Thus it will increase the transportation of raw materials and goods to many cities through the waterways. The industries located on the coast of waterways enjoy the advantage of the cheap cost of transportation.

• Tourism

Kerala enjoys the unique quality having more amounts of inland waterways with backwaters. Tourism has been promoted in these areas in which it most successful. This tourism such as bout house and boat race will attract the number of tourists in the world.

• Beneficial for industries

Since the transportation cost is very cheaper it would be beneficial for the industries. The transportation of the finished goods to many cities and other parts can be carried through the waterways.