Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Functions and Importance

Introduction: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is a statutory authority responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation in India.

Key pointers

  • Established: 1986.

  • Administrative ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

  • Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

  • Legal framework: Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.

  • Primary objective: Develop inland waterways for efficient navigation and transportation.

  • National Waterways Act, 2016: Declared 111 inland waterways as National Waterways.

  • Major waterway: National Waterway 1, covering the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system between Prayagraj and Haldia.

  • National Waterway 2: Brahmaputra River stretch between Sadiya and Dhubri in Assam.

  • National Waterway 3: West Coast Canal and associated waterways in Kerala.

  • Economic benefits: Potentially reduces logistics costs, road congestion and fuel consumption for suitable cargo.

  • Environmental considerations: Dredging, river engineering and increased vessel traffic require safeguards for aquatic ecosystems and river morphology.

  • Major initiative: Jal Marg Vikas Project focuses on improving navigation capacity along National Waterway 1.

UPSC focus: IWAI is a statutory body, not a constitutional body. Remember the National Waterways Act, 2016, and the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems.