Question
State the reasons for the under utilisation of inland waterways in India.
Solution
The inland waterways are under-utilised in India. Though the water transport is the cheapest means of transport yet it is under-utilised due to the following reasons:
1. Most of the rivers in India are inundated. They cause floods in the rainy season and dry up in the dry season.
2. The presence of the waterfalls, hinder the smooth flow of south Indian rivers.
3. The diversion of water for agriculture etc. reduced the water level of the rivers.
4. The silt deposit in the bottom makes the rivers shallow and unfit for irrigation.
5. An unequal competition with railway and road transport is also responsible for the poor development of inland waterways in India.
