Which of the following is NOT a reason for decline in importance of riverways in modern times?

competition from Airways

The correct answer is option 1: competition from Airways

In the context of logistics and transportation, Airways and Riverways operate in completely different categories.

• Riverways are used for transporting bulky, heavy, and low-value goods (like coal, timber, ores, and grains) where cost-efficiency is more important than speed.

• Airways are used for high-value, perishable, or urgent goods (like electronics, flowers, or medicines) where speed is the priority regardless of the high cost.

Because these two modes handle entirely different types of cargo, airplanes do not compete with river barges. The real competition for riverways comes from Roadways and Railways, which offer better door-to-door connectivity and faster speeds for heavy cargo.

NCERT: "In ancient times, riverways were the main highways of transportation as in the case of India. But they lost importance because of competition from railways, lack of water due to diversion for irrigation, and their poor maintenance.