Since time immemorial , India was one of the seafaring countries . Its semen sailed far and near , thus , carrying and spreading Indian commerce and culture . Waterways are the cheapest means of transport . They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods . It is a fuel efficient and environmental friendly mode of transport . India has inland navigation waterways of 14005 km in length out of this only 5650 kilometre are navigable by mechanised vehicle . The following waterways have been declared as the National waterways by the government .
# The Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia (1620 km)
# The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km)
# The West-Coast Canal in Kerela .(Kottapura-Kollam , Udyogmandal and Chanmpakkara canals - 205 km )
# Specified streches of Godavari and Krishna river along with Kakinada Puducherry streach of canals (1078 km)
# Stratified stretches of river brahamani along with madhai river Delta channels of Madhai and and east coast canal (588 km)
there are some other inland waterways on which substantial transportation takes place these are Mandavi , Zuari and Cumberjua , Sundarbans , Barak , backwater of Kerala and tidal stretches of some other rivers .
Apart from these India's trade with foreign countries is carried from the ports located along the coast . 95% of the countries trade volume ( 68% in terms of value) is moved by sea .
