Question
State the advantages and disadvantages of inland water transport.
Solution
Advantages:
1.Transportation of heavy and bulky goods is easy and cheap. Coal, different ores, wood and big size manufactured goods are suitable for water transport.
2.Rivers and lakes are natural routes. Expenditure on their construction and maintenance is not required.
3.Waterways experience comparatively few accidents.
4. Rivers are the only means of transport in thick forested lands of heavy rainfall.
Disadvantages:
1. Time is lost due to slow speed. Hence they are not suitable for transporting perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and milk and their products.
2. Most of the river flow far away from the densely populated areas where demand for transportation is more. Hence this mode of transportation presents difficulties.
3.Seasonal change in the flow and depth of water creates problem in transportation.
4.For keeping desired depth in the rivers, lakes and canals silting of sand and soil is to be removed regularly. This involves expenditure and the navigation is halted during such an exercise.
