The shift towards utilizing waterways for cargo movement in India is primarily motivated by the need for sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Waterways offer an alternative that is not only economical but also more environmentally friendly compared to traditional road and rail transport.
Currently, less than 10 percent of India's extensive coastline and inland waterways are engaged in cargo movement. Nevertheless, the government and organizations are optimistic about increasing this percentage in the near future as infrastructure improves.
Despite its potential, several challenges hinder the promotion of coastal transport and inland waterways. These include:
Tata Steel is actively working to reduce its reliance on road transport by significantly increasing its use of coastal transport and waterways for cargo movement. The company plans to utilize appropriately sized ships for coastal transport and enhance infrastructure and logistics to facilitate this transition.
Currently, Tata Steel transports a substantial portion of its finished goods via rail and road, with a minor percentage using coastal and inland waterways. In the coming years, the company intends to enhance its reliance on waterways for domestic transport, especially in the North-Eastern region of India.
Several obstacles complicate the use of waterways for cargo movement:
Tata Steel has set ambitious goals for the future, aiming to transport nearly one million tonnes of cargo via coastal transport and around 100,000 tonnes through inland waterways. This shift is expected to make river waterways a viable option for cargo movement in India.
Using waterways for cargo transport presents unique difficulties. These include the need for consistent depth to accommodate ships, restrictions on cargo capacity, and the inability to navigate at night. Additionally, factors such as sediment accumulation and other activities on waterways can significantly hinder efficient transport.
Q1. Why is there a shift towards using waterways for cargo movement in India?
Answer: The shift is driven by sustainability and cost-effectiveness, making waterways an environmentally friendly transport option.
Q2. What percentage of cargo movement in India currently utilizes waterways?
Answer: Less than 10 percent of cargo movement in India currently utilizes waterways, but this is expected to increase with future plans.
Q3. What challenges does coastal transport face in India?
Answer: Challenges include the need for uniform drafts, nighttime navigation restrictions, and issues like siltation affecting waterway efficiency.
Q4. How is Tata Steel enhancing its use of waterways?
Answer: Tata Steel plans to increase coastal transport by utilizing properly sized ships and improving infrastructure and logistics.
Q5. What are Tata Steel's future cargo movement goals?
Answer: Tata Steel aims to transport close to one million tonnes via coastal transport and around 100,000 tonnes through waterways in the near future.
Question 1: What is the primary motivation for using waterways for cargo transport in India?
A) Cost-effectiveness
B) Environmental sustainability
C) Infrastructure development
D) Government regulations
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What percentage of cargo movement currently utilizes waterways in India?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Which company is significantly increasing its use of coastal transport?
A) Reliance Industries
B) Tata Steel
C) Adani Group
D) JSW Steel
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What is a major challenge for nighttime navigation on waterways?
A) High traffic
B) Poor lighting
C) Limited vessel drafts
D) Water siltation
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What future goal does Tata Steel have for cargo movement through waterways?
A) 500,000 tonnes
B) 1 million tonnes
C) 1.5 million tonnes
D) 2 million tonnes
Correct Answer: B
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