Step 1: Understanding National Waterways.
India has developed several inland waterways for the purpose of cargo transport and navigation. These are officially numbered as National Waterways (NW). The numbering is based on geographical coverage and navigable length.
Step 2: Explanation.
National Waterway No. 1 (NW-1) is the longest waterway in India. It runs along the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system between Allahabad (Prayagraj) and Haldia, covering approximately 1,620 km.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
(A) National Waterway No. 1: Correct. It is the longest waterway in India.
(B) National Waterway No. 2: Incorrect. It is located on the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
(C) National Waterway No. 3: Incorrect. It lies in Kerala, along the West Coast Canal.
(D) National Waterway No. 4: Incorrect. It runs through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu but is shorter.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, the longest national waterway in India is National Waterway No. 1.