Assertion: The Inland Waterways Authority was set up in 1986 in India.
Reasoning: It was set up for the development, maintenance and regulation of national waterways in the country.

Both Assertion (A) and reasoning (R) are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Inland waterways- It was the chief mode of transport before the advent of railways. It, however, faced tough competition from road and railway transport. Moreover, the diversion of river water for irrigation purposes made them non-navigable in large parts of their courses. India has 14,500 km of navigable waterways, contributing about 1% to the country’s transportation. It comprises rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc. At present, 5,685 km of major rivers are navigable by mechanised flat-bottom vessels. For the development, maintenance and regulation of national waterways in the country, the Inland Waterways Authority was set up in 1986.