All rivers and canals of northern India serve as inland waterway for transport of people and goods. The growth of this means of transport is however reduced or limited with time due to development of other means of transport. The Ganga and Brahmaputra in north India and all peninsular rivers in the deltaic region serve as inland waterways.

(i) On what factors does the growth of this means of transport depend on?

(ii) Mention the disadvantages of this means of transport?

(i) The factors upon which the growth of this means of transport depends on are:

1. Water availability and navigability
2. Infrastructure development
3. Government policies and Investment
4. Economic competitiveness with other transport modes.

(ii) The disadvantages of Inland waterways are given below:

1. These waterways must be free of barriers such as waterfalls and rapids, which makes the rivers of Peninsular India not ideal for navigation.
2. Navigation issues due to seasonal fluctuation of water, shallow depth, undulating river beds and their silting, and reduction of water level due to diversion for irrigation.
3. Inadequate infrastructure.
4. Slower transportation.
5. It depends on weather conditions.