Waterways have always been an important mode of transport in Kerala.

The total length of navigable route in

Kerala was 1,900 kilometers and the navigable rivers constitute about 54 per cent of the waterways. The 41
West-flowing rivers together with the backwaters are an integrated part of the inland navigation system in
Kerala.
[1]
The State's inland waterways pass through highly populated regions - the West Coast Canal, for
instance. The majority of those inhabiting the region were engaged in traditional industries such as coir,
cashew, brick-making and fishing g. Any attempt to develop the inland waterways will favorably impact the
well-being of these people.
[1]
On the main West Coast Canal between Kollam and Kottapuram, the Kochi
Edapallikota (120 km) stretch was opened for cargo movement during November 1994 consequent to
improvement works carried out by IWAI. Capital dredging for widening and deepening of canal between Kochi
and Kollam was started in first phase during 1997-98. In Kochi Kottapuram stretch, capital dredging was
started in 2nd phase during September 2002. Work in Kochi-Allapuzha sector was completed and in Kochi-
Kottapuram sector (30 km) dredging was completed except 4.83 km. But in the remaining reaches, it got
delayed due to various problems such as disposal of dredged material, fishing nets, local issues leading to
contractual problems etc. Out of entire length of 205 km of the waterway, the total shoal length has been
estimated as 87.16 km out of which 59.75 km has so far been dredged and 24.49 km remains to be dredged.
The total quantity which was to be dredged for deepening the entire shoal length was worked out as 40.33
lakh m3 out of which 23.98 lakh m3 has been dredged and 16.35 lakh m3 remains to be dredged.
[2]
Project for
providing and maintaining 24 hrs navigational aids by way of buoys and lights had been completed during
2007-08 and now the entire waterway has the facility for 24 hrs navigation which was maintained during 2008-
09
[3]

National Waterways-3


Index Map of National Waterways 3(source:Annual report2007-08,IWA)
The West Coast Canal from Kottapuram to Kollam was declared as National Waterway No.3 vide National
Waterway (Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of West Coast Canal and Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals) Act
1992 ( 33-F of 1992 ) and notified on 1st Feb. 1993. From Kottapuram to Kollam including Champakara and
Udyogmandal canals has a navigable length of 205 kms.
This waterway comprises of natural lakes, back-waters, river sections and man-made canal sections. The
Champakara and Udyogmandal canals link industrial centers of Ambalamugal and Udyogmandal with the Kochi
port. On the main West Coast Canal between Kollam and Kottapuram, the Kochi Edapallikota (120 kms) stretch
was opened for cargo movement during November 1994 consequent to improvement works carried out by
IWAI.


Tourism
Fairway Development:
Fairway development works including maintenance dredging, and maintenance of 24 hrs navigational aids are
continued during 2008-09. Bank protection works in some stretches were completed in 2007-08 and these
were also taken up in some critical stretches of Champakara and Udyogmandal canals during 2008-09.
Capital dredging for widening and deepening of canal between Kochi and Kollam was started in first phase
during 1997-98. In Kochi Kottapuram stretch, capital dredging was started in 2nd phase during September
2002. Work in Kochi-Allapuzha sector was completed and in Kochi-Kottapuram sector (30 km) dredging was
completed except 4.83 km. But in the remaining reaches, it got delayed due to various problems such as
disposal of dredged material, fishing nets, local issues leading to contractual problems etc. Out of entire length
of 205 km of the waterway, the total shoal length has been estimated as 87.16 km out of which 59.75 km has
so far been dredged and 24.49 km remains to be dredged. The total quantity which was to be dredged for
deepening the entire shoal length was worked out as 40.33 lakh m3 out of which 23.98 lakh m3 has been
dredged and 16.35 lakh m3 remains to be dredged. For completion of this capital dredging (which also includes
widening of the narrow sections which necessitates removal of boulders, coconut trees, old bank protection
etc), a scheme at a cost of Rs.89.74 Cr was approved by the Govt. and tenders were invited to take up this
work.

National Waterways-1
Contents
[hide]
1 Introduction
o 1.1 Fairway Development
o 1.2 Terminals
o 1.3 Navigational Aids
o 1.4 Facilities for safe 24x7 navigation
o 1.5 Salient Feature
Introduction


Index Map of National Waterways-1
Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Allahabad to Haldia was declared as National Waterway No.1 vide
National Waterway (Allahabad-Haldia stretch of the Ganga Bhagirathi- Hooghly river) Act 1982 (49 of 1982). It
became operative from 27th Oct 1986 after the formation of the IWAI. The waterway extends from Haldia to
Allahabad for a distance of 1620 kms.
The Hooghly river portion of the waterway from Haldia to Nabadwip is tidal.Sea going vessels navigate up to
Calcutta (140 kms) and the fairway up to Calcutta is maintained by the Calcutta Port Trust. From Calcutta up to
Tribeni there is no restrictions for navigation by inland vessels of a loaded draft up to 4m. From Nabadwip to
Jangipur the waterway is formed by Bhagirathi river. Bhagirathi river is a regulated river because of the
Barrages at Farakka and Jangipur.With the controlled discharge from the Farakka Barrage and limited river
conservancy work a navigable depth of 2m is maintained in this route throughout the year.


Passenger Jetty-2 at Lot8
From Farakka upstream the navigable route is through the main Ganga river. The Feeder Canal and the
navigation lock at Farakka become the link between the Bhagirathi and main Ganga upstream Farakka Barrage.
The large variation in discharge along with unstable morphological condition of bank and bed, heavy sediment
load,continuous braiding and meandering make development of navigational channel acomplex task.
NW-1 stretch is defined as Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Allahabad to Haldia (1620km).This
waterway is declared as National Waterway in 1986.NW-1 is passing through UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West
Bengal.Length of HaldiaFarakka waterway is 560Km, of FarakkaPatna is 460Km and of PatnaAllahabad is
600 km. Figure:1 shows the index map of National Waterway1.


CSD Mahananda dredging at Lot8
Fairway Development
The stretch between Haldia and Tribeni (196 km) is tidal and the least Available Depth (LAD) of more than 2 m
is maintained naturally therein. During 2008-09, to maintain LAD in stretch upstream of Tribeni, 3000 m of
bandals were erected and maintained in Tribeni-Farakka (364 km),and 15,705 m in Farakka-Allahabad (1060
km) stretches. In addition, 66,000 m3 of dredging was carried out in Tribeni-Farakka stretch and 1,02,000 m3
in FarakkaVaranasi stretch by deploying three Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSD) which are owned by IWAI. LAD
of 2.5m was maintained between Haldia and Farakka (560 km) for about 330 days. LAD of 1.8 to 2m for about
300 days was maintained between Farakka and Patna (460 km). 1.5 m LAD between Patna and Varanasi (363
km) was maintained for about 330 days. However, between Varanasi-Allahabad, LAD of 1.2 m only could be
maintained for about 300 days since proposed contract dredging could not be carried out because of
unsatisfactory response to the dredging tender. Construction of two CSD units [a unit comprises one Cutter
Suction Dredger (CSD), one Work Boat (WB) and one Accommodation Boat (AB)] progressed during the year
through different shipbuilders who were awarded the work of construction and supply of these vessels.Both
the ABs were supplied during 2008-09 while CSDs and WBs are expected to be delivered in 2009-10.


Cutter Suction Dredger Mahananda
Terminals
National Waterways-2


Index Map of National Waterways 2
Contents
[hide]
1 Introduction
o 1.1 Terminals
o 1.2 Navigational Aids
o 1.3 Facilities for safe 24x7 navigation
o 1.4 Salient Feature
Introduction
Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiyawas declared as National Waterway no. 2 vide National Waterway (Sadiya-
Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra river) Act 1988 ( 40 of 1988 ).From Dhubri to Sadiya, the waterway extends for a
distance of 891Km. The river Brahmaputra flows downthe centre of Assam Valley.It receives a number of tributaries
like Subansiri,Jia Bharali, Dihing, Burhi Dihing, Disang, Dhansiri and Kopili. The Brahmaputra along with its
continuous water routes leading up to the ports of Calcutta and Haldia is a very important traditional IWT route.
Under an agreement with the Govt. of Bangladesh, the CIWTC an other Indian vessel operators are plying their carg0
vessels between Assam and Calcutta region making use of IWT transit facilities through Bangladesh.


Naranarayan_Setu_Bridge_NW2
Important river stations/commercial centers along the river bank in NW-2 are Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu/Guwahati,
Tezpur, Neamati, Dibrugarh, Sadiya and Saikhowa.Pandu/Guwahati is the most important river station on NW-2 and
the stretch downstream of Pandu up to Bangladesh Border (260 kms) is the stretch where IWT operation is presently
most active.


Cargo moved by IWT Assam vessels in NW2
Fairway Development:
During 2008-09, 16,800 m of bandals were erected and maintained in the entire waterway. In addition, 14,530 m
3
of
dredging was also done by deploying oneCSD which is owned by IWAI. Least Available Depth of 2.0 m was
maintained between Dhubri and Dibrugarh and 1.5 m between Dibrugarh and Sadiya round the year. During 2007-
08, an important project for construction and supply of four CSD units was sanctioned by the Government at a cost
of Rs 75.64 cr and work was also awarded to separate shipbuilders. During 2008-09 all four ABs were delivered by
the ship builder while the construction work of other vessels was in progress.
National Waterways-4
Intoduction


Index Map of National Waterways-4
Kakinada-Puducherry canal stretch (767km) along with Godavari River stretch (171km) between (Bhadrachalam and
Rajhamundry) and Krishna River stretch(157km) between (Wazirabad and Vijaywada) is termed as NW-4.Total
length of NW-4 is 1095 km. A network of irrigation cum navigation canal linking Chennai and Ennore Ports in Tamil
Nadu with the Kakinada Port,and Machlipatnam Ports in Andhra Pradesh runs through a distance of 618 kms. The
Kakinad canal and Eluru canal and Commamur canal which are irrigation cum navigation canal also interlink the two
major river systems of Godavari and Krishna. The Buckingham canal which interlinks the Commamur canal with
Chennai port runs through a distance of 315 Km is tidal.
In view of the port hinterland connection, interstate and inter city traffic potential and the historic data
on IWT movement, development of this waterway into an efficient IWT system is envisaged during the 9th Five Year
Plan. Further integrated canal also connect the Chennai city with the Mercunam through the south Buckingham
canal and Cooum river runs through a distance of 103 kms.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this new NW was prepared by M/s WAPCOS. Based on the DPR, a consolidated
project in PIB format had been submitted to Govt. and the same is under consideration by the Govt. for sanction.