Application of Eco-Friendly Submerged Vanes for Developing Inland Water Transport

This chapter delves into the application of eco-friendly submerged vanes to enhance inland water transport by maintaining sufficient navigational depth and stabilizing river channels. The study focuses on a pilot project conducted on the Ganga River in India, where submerged vanes were used to deepen the navigational channel and stabilize the riverbanks. The chapter discusses the design and implementation of bamboo-based submerged vanes, which are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It also highlights the challenges faced during the project, such as implementation delays and technical issues. The results show a significant increase in the navigational channel's depth, with some sections deepened by up to 1.3 meters. Additionally, the submerged vanes helped consolidate the riverbanks, addressing a major concern for the local population. The chapter concludes that eco-friendly submerged vanes can be a substantial supplement to dredging, reducing the overall cost of fairway development for inland water transport. It also recommends further laboratory studies and field investigations to optimize the design and application of submerged vanes in different geographical locations.