Karnataka > Water Transport in Karnataka
Karnataka, a maritime State with a coastal line of about 300 Km with
287 Nautical km covering Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts of Coastal Karnataka. Water Transport which include Inland Waterways and Ocean Transport is crucial for the economic growth of the State, as it is cheap and also indispensible at places where there are no bridges. In earlier times rivers and seasonal streams were crossed by the country boats, rafts, basket boats and ferries. In recent years mechanised boats and launches are also being used. The district of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada are more favourable for Water Transport. Chronicles of the overseas travellers, mention of the foreign boats going up to the upstreams of Barakur, Basrur, Gersoppe and Kadra. Navigation is possible in the water ways of the State only for short distances, particularly in some portions of the West flowing rivers, their estuaries and backwaters. In Uttara Kannada district, some portions of the Gangavali, the Aghanashini, the Kali and the Sharavathi are navigable. Navigable portions are found in the Halady, the Kubja, the Chakra and the Kollur rivers in Udupi District. and the Udyavar, Netravathi etc., in Dakshina Kannada district.
Inland Waterways : With a view to have proper control and supervision over navigation and ferry services, Inland Waterways Branch was created in 1972 and attached to the Ports Directorate, situated at Karwar in Uttara Kannada District. Many ferry services are directly run by the Inland Waterways. In 1981-82, there were 673 ferries in the State to cater to the needs of the rural population. Consequent on the construction of more roads and bridges in rural areas, the number of ferries, have come down to 477 in 1992. During VIII Plan period, an amount of Rs 60 lakhs was spent for the development of ferries. Even then by 2000 AD, the number of ferries was 378 in the State. Out of them, while 26 were maintained by the department, 42 have been given to private individuals on auction, and a sum of Rs. 2,73,110 was obtained as revenue out of it. By March 2004, there were altogether 366 ferries operating in the State. Of them while 24 were managed departmently and 43 have been given to Private agencies on auction and a sum of 3,76,450 being derived as revenue out of it.
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