Inland Waterways & Ports MCQs
Assam General Knowledge
Module 15: Assam Infrastructure, Transport & Energy MCQs
Topic: Inland Waterways & Ports MCQs
Sub-Topic I: Inland Water Transport – Concept & Importance
MCQ 1
Inland Water Transport (IWT) refers to transportation through:
A. Seas and oceans
B. Rivers, canals, and inland water bodies
C. Air routes
D. Underground tunnels
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Inland Water Transport uses rivers, canals, and navigable inland waterways, which are natural transport corridors.
MCQ 2
In Assam, inland waterways are important mainly because of:
A. Extensive desert areas
B. Numerous navigable rivers
C. Coastal location
D. Mountain passes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Assam has large river systems, especially the Brahmaputra and Barak, making inland navigation significant.
MCQ 3
Which river forms the backbone of inland water transport in Assam?
A. Teesta
B. Brahmaputra
C. Subansiri
D. Dhansiri
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Brahmaputra River serves as the principal inland waterway of Assam.
MCQ 4
Inland waterways are considered eco-friendly mainly because they:
A. Use heavy fuel
B. Cause high pollution
C. Consume less energy per tonne-km
D. Require deforestation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
IWT is energy-efficient and less polluting compared to road transport.
MCQ 5
Inland water transport is most suitable for:
A. Emergency air travel
B. Short-distance rural roads
C. Bulk and heavy cargo
D. Mountain trekking
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Waterways are ideal for bulk commodities like coal, cement, food grains, and petroleum products.
Sub-Topic II: National Waterways in Assam
MCQ 6
Which National Waterway passes through Assam?
A. National Waterway-1
B. National Waterway-2
C. National Waterway-4
D. National Waterway-5
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
National Waterway-2 (NW-2) runs along the Brahmaputra River through Assam.
MCQ 7
National Waterway-2 extends from:
A. Dhubri to Sadiya
B. Guwahati to Dibrugarh
C. Silchar to Karimganj
D. Tezpur to Goalpara
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
NW-2 stretches from Dhubri (near Bangladesh border) to Sadiya in eastern Assam.
MCQ 8
National Waterway-2 mainly supports:
A. Passenger air traffic
B. Inland navigation and trade
C. Coastal shipping
D. Railway transport
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
NW-2 facilitates cargo movement, passenger services, and regional trade.
MCQ 9
Which river is designated as National Waterway-16?
A. Brahmaputra
B. Barak
C. Kopili
D. Jia Bharali
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Barak River has been declared National Waterway-16.
MCQ 10
National Waterways in Assam enhance connectivity mainly with:
A. Southern India
B. Western India
C. North-Eastern region and Bangladesh
D. Himalayan countries only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Waterways improve regional and cross-border connectivity, especially with Bangladesh.
Sub-Topic III: Ports & Terminals on Inland Waterways
MCQ 11
Ports on inland waterways primarily function as:
A. Industrial zones
B. Cargo handling and transshipment points
C. Tourism resorts
D. Defence camps
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Inland ports serve as loading, unloading, and storage points.
MCQ 12
Which city is the most important inland port of Assam?
A. Silchar
B. Tezpur
C. Guwahati
D. Jorhat
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Guwahati is the largest and most significant inland river port of Assam.
MCQ 13
The Pandu Port is located in:
A. Dibrugarh
B. Silchar
C. Guwahati
D. Dhubri
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pandu Port, near Guwahati, is a major river port on the Brahmaputra.
MCQ 14
Inland ports in Assam mainly handle:
A. Passenger aircraft
B. Containerised road cargo
C. Bulk goods and essential commodities
D. Luxury goods only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
They mainly handle bulk cargo like cement, coal, fertilisers, and food grains.
MCQ 15
Which river port supports trade near the western border of Assam?
A. Sadiya
B. Dhubri
C. Tezpur
D. Jorhat
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Dhubri port plays an important role in trade near the Bangladesh border.
Sub-Topic IV: Economic & Strategic Importance
MCQ 16
Inland waterways help Assam’s economy mainly by:
A. Increasing transport cost
B. Reducing logistics cost
C. Promoting isolation
D. Limiting trade
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Water transport is cheaper and cost-effective for bulk movement.
MCQ 17
Which sector benefits most from inland water transport in Assam?
A. Agriculture and trade
B. IT sector
C. Aviation industry
D. Space research
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Farm produce and trade goods benefit from low-cost bulk transport.
MCQ 18
Inland waterways are strategically important for Assam because they:
A. Replace railways
B. Support disaster management and defence logistics
C. Reduce river flow
D. Promote deforestation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
They aid movement during emergencies, floods, and strategic logistics.
MCQ 19
Which advantage does inland water transport have over roadways?
A. Higher fuel consumption
B. Lower carrying capacity
C. Lower carbon footprint
D. Faster delivery always
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Waterways have a lower environmental impact.
MCQ 20
Ports and terminals support Assam’s development mainly through:
A. Tourism only
B. Industrial exports only
C. Trade facilitation and connectivity
D. Urban housing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Ports enable efficient trade, logistics, and regional integration.
Sub-Topic V: Challenges & Development Initiatives
MCQ 21
A major challenge to inland waterways in Assam is:
A. Snowfall
B. Siltation and changing river channels
C. Desert storms
D. Lack of rivers
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Heavy siltation and river course changes affect navigation.
MCQ 22
Seasonal variation in river depth affects:
A. Road transport
B. Railway schedules
C. Navigability of waterways
D. Air traffic
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Low water levels in dry season affect navigation depth.
MCQ 23
Development of inland waterways requires focus on:
A. Dredging and terminal infrastructure
B. Only tourism
C. Industrial estates
D. Urban housing
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Dredging, navigation aids, and ports are essential for efficiency.
MCQ 24
Which factor limits year-round navigation in Assam’s rivers?
A. Earthquakes
B. Seasonal water level fluctuation
C. Lack of rainfall
D. Ice formation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
River depth varies greatly between monsoon and dry seasons.
MCQ 25
Sustainable inland water transport aims to:
A. Increase pollution
B. Balance economic use and river ecology
C. Reduce connectivity
D. Promote deforestation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Sustainability ensures economic benefits without harming river ecosystems.
Sub-Topic VI: Exam-Oriented Analytical Understanding
MCQ 26
Inland waterways complement road and rail transport by:
A. Replacing them completely
B. Handling bulk and low-cost cargo
C. Serving only tourists
D. Reducing trade
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
They share the transport load and reduce pressure on roads and railways.
MCQ 27
Why is inland water transport suitable for Assam’s geography?
A. Flat deserts
B. Dense river network
C. Snow-covered terrain
D. Coastal plains
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Assam has a dense river system, ideal for inland navigation.
MCQ 28
Which outcome best reflects successful inland waterway development?
A. Higher logistics cost
B. Reduced regional isolation
C. Decline in trade
D. Increased pollution
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Better waterways reduce remoteness and transport bottlenecks.
MCQ 29
Integration of inland waterways with ports mainly promotes:
A. Export-only economy
B. Multimodal transport system
C. Road dominance
D. Railway monopoly
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Integration creates a multimodal and efficient transport network.
MCQ 30
Overall, inland waterways and ports in Assam aim to:
A. Replace all other transport modes
B. Strengthen connectivity, trade, and sustainable transport
C. Reduce regional development
D. Promote isolation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
They enhance connectivity, economic growth, and sustainable transport.
✅ Exam Relevance Note
These MCQs are strictly aligned with the Assam-specific General Knowledge curriculum and are highly relevant for APSC, UPSC, Assam Police, TET, Forest, Banking, Grade III & IV, as well as SEBA, AHSEC, ASSEB, CBSE, CEE, and College & University-level examinations across Assam.
-
Assam inland water transport GK
-
National Waterway-2 Assam MCQs
-
Brahmaputra river transport GK
-
Assam river ports MCQs
-
Inland ports of Assam GK
-
APSC transport infrastructure MCQs
-
Assam waterways and trade GK
⭐ Why Inland Waterways & Ports of Assam MCQs Are Important
Inland Waterways & Ports of Assam are a strategic component of the state’s transport infrastructure and sustainable logistics, making this topic highly relevant for APSC and Assam-centric competitive examinations. This MCQ set comprehensively covers National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra, National Waterway-16 on the Barak, major river ports (Guwahati/Pandu, Dhubri), cargo handling, economic and strategic importance, environmental benefits, challenges like siltation and seasonal depth variation, ensuring strong conceptual clarity.
Prepared strictly in alignment with the APSC CCE syllabus, these MCQs are equally beneficial for UPSC, Assam Police, TET, Forest, Banking, Grade III & IV, and also for SEBA, AHSEC, ASSEB, CBSE, CEE, and College & University-level examinations across Assam. Regular practice helps aspirants confidently answer transport, waterways, ports, and development-oriented GK questions.
❓ FAQ Section
Q1. Are Inland Waterways & Ports of Assam MCQs important for APSC exams?
Yes. APSC CCE Prelims and Mains frequently include questions on NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-16 (Barak), river ports, and inland water transport.
Q2. Do these MCQs cover National Waterways and major ports of Assam?
Absolutely. The MCQs cover NW-2, NW-16, Guwahati/Pandu Port, Dhubri Port, cargo handling, and connectivity aspects.
Q3. Are these MCQs useful for Assam Police, TET, and Grade III & IV exams?
Yes. Transport and infrastructure GK, including waterways and ports, is a high-frequency area for Assam Police, TET, Grade III & IV, Forest, and Banking exams.
Q4. Do the questions explain economic and environmental benefits of inland waterways?
Yes. The MCQs clearly explain cost efficiency, bulk cargo movement, lower carbon footprint, and strategic logistics.
Q5. Are explanations suitable for beginners and quick revision?
Yes. Each MCQ includes a simple, easy-to-understand, and exam-oriented explanation, ideal for beginners and last-minute revision.