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CHAPTER 7
Waterways -
The new transport of the era
Introduction
Unpolluted, flowing water is also considered a soothing effect for sore
eyesight. Rivers are the backbone of human civilization as they have
offered much more impact than just drinking. The current chapter
looks at river water transport options in India.
Inland waterways university is a network in the form of rivers, canals,
backwaters, and creeks that can be used for transportation in place of
or in addition to roads and rails. Through the ages, rivers have served
as effective waterways, carrying people and goods over long distances.
Even today, many countries depend heavily on inland water transport,
especially for large and bulky cargo, as it is cheaper, more reliable, and
less polluting than transporting goods by road or rail. A vast country
like India could use such a huge mode of transportation. But with
passenger and cargo transportation, the river would be over stressed.
India has a total coastline of 7551 km with 13 major ports trust,
approximately 200 minor ports. The country has an extensive
network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters,
and creeks. The total Navigable length is 14,500 km, of which about
5200 km of rivers and 4000 km of canals can be used by mechanized
craft and cargo moved in the financial year 2013-14 and 2014-15
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