Context:
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has set up a new of fice in Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) to develop river navigation infrastructure in three national waterways in the Union Territory i.e. NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), NW-84 (River Ravi).
IWAI:
- A statutory body by Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985
- Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
- Head office: Noida.
- Responsibility – Development, maintenance, and regulation of the inland waterways in India.
Inland Waterways in India:
- Inland waterways refer to navigable rivers, canals, and backwaters used for transportation.
- India has 111 officially declared National Waterways (NWs).
- Designated and managed by – Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
- Regulated by – National Waterways Act assists in the management and regulation of the waterways in a country.
Important National Waterways (NWs):
| National Waterway | River System | States Covered |
| NW1 | Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal |
| NW2 | Brahmaputra | Assam |
| NW3 | West Coast Canal, Champakara, Udyogmandal | Kerala |
| NW4 | Kakinada to Puducherry (Buckingham Canal) | Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
Source: TOI
Previous Year Question
Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by a long navigational channel?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Rajasthan
Answer: (d)