National Waterways of India  

Waterways play a vital role in promoting cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and environment-friendly transport in India. The National Waterways (NW) are officially declared inland water routes by the Government of India for navigation and transportation. 

Major National Waterways 

• NW-1: Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly River System 
  • Route: Prayagraj to Haldia 
  • Length: 1,620 km 
  • States Covered: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal 
  • Year Declared: 1986 
  • Significance: One of the longest and most important waterways in India. 
• NW-2: Brahmaputra River 
  • Route: Sadiya to Dhubri 
  • Length: 891 km 
  • State: Assam 
  • Year Declared: 1988 
  • Key Role: Enhances connectivity in the North-East region. 
• NW-3: West Coast Canal, Champakara & Udyogamandal Canals 
  • Route: Kottapuram to Kollam 
  • Length: 205 km 
  • State: Kerala 
  • Year Declared: 1993 
  • Unique Point: First national waterway in a tidal and backwater-rich state. 
• NW-4: Krishna and Godavari Rivers 
  • Route: Kakinada to Puducherry (with canal systems, tanks, and river stretches) 
  • Length: 1,095 km 
  • States/UT Covered: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry 
  • Year Declared: 2008 
  • Purpose: Boosts trade and transport in southern India.

Other Operational National Waterways  

• NW-10: Amba River 
  • Length: 45 km 
  • State: Maharashtra 
• NW-83: Rajpuri Creek 
  • Length: 31 km 
  • State: Maharashtra 
• NW-85: Revadanda Creek – Kundalika River System 
  • Length: 31 km 
  • State: Maharashtra 
• NW-91: Shastri River – Jaigad Creek System 
  • Length: 52 km 
  • State: Maharashtra 
• NW-68: Mandovi River (Usgaon Bridge to Arabian Sea) 
  • Length: 41 km 
  • State: Goa 
• NW-111: Zuari River (Sanvordem Bridge to Mormugao Port) 
  • Length: 50 km 
  • State: Goa 
• NW-73: Narmada River 
  • Length: 226 km 
  • States: Gujarat, Maharashtra
• NW-100: Tapi River 
  • Length: 436 km 
  • States: Gujarat, Maharashtra
• NW-97 (Sundarbans Waterways) 
  • Route: Namkhana to Athara Banki Khal 
  • Length: 172 km 
  • State: West Bengal 
  • Special Note: Part of the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route 

Map: Indian Waterways