Develop waterways

The latest efforts of the government to explore the possibility of developing water transport in Nepal is a welcome move. Undoubtedly, in a mountainous country like ours, where construction of roads and development of other modes of transport are daunting tasks, water transport can definitely give us an added edge. In this connection, an initial feasibility study concluded recently by the East Consult and Eco CoDE, has come up with encouraging findings confirming that Nepal can develop 478 km of waterways along three big rivers: Koshi, Kaligandaki and Bheri. These waterways can become an alternative mode of transport that will ease and increase the mobility of more than 3.8 million rural folks in 40 districts.



It is noteworthy that even though Nepal is rich in water resources and has some potential for water transport, the country has so far  utilized this potential on only the 4.5 km Setibeni-Mirmi section of  the Kaligandaki River and 11-km Chataraghat-Simle section of  the Arun. The government has long continued to ignore the development of waterways although people in rural areas have traditionally been using locally made wooden boats to cross rivers and travel downstream. The only water transport potential that the country has so far tapped is rafting on rivers such as Trishuli, Gandaki, Bhotekoshi, Karnali, Seti and Narayani. But this has been for recreational purposes for tourists.



Studies across the world have shown that developing waterways is cheaper than roads or other systems of transport. Water transport is cheaper for passengers and more cost-effective for operators as well as traders. Besides, in countries with difficult terrain, operating water-borne cargo and passenger services can shorten travel distances and times. Confirmation by East Consult and Eco CoDE  of the possibility of operating water transport on the Koshi, Kaligandaki and Bheri opens the prospects for socio-economic transformation that such a service can bring to people living along those rivers. The Koshi is located in the eastern region and originates deep in the remote hill areas. Similar is the situation with Kaligandaki, located in the western region, and the Bheri in the mid-west. These rivers course through the rural expanses of the country and their development as reliable waterways can greatly facilitate movement of people in the hinterlands as well as of local goods, and this can definitely help boost economic activity. It can also generate local employment through recreational tourism activities such as kayaking, canoeing, rafting and more conventional boating. So, it’s high time the government got serious about the development of waterways in our country.

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