Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday studied the development of inland waterways infrastructure projects in Assam and the Northeast, proclaiming an additional Rs.1,000 crore investment in the sector, targeted for conclusion by 2026.
The high-level review meeting held in Guwahati was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Public Works Department (PWD), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL).
“Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are developing robust inland waterway infrastructure in Assam and the Northeast. Projects worth Rs.1,000 crore are on the anvil for completion by 2026. In the last two years, Rs.1,000 crore has already been sanctioned, Rs.300 crore worth of projects are complete, while Rs.700 crore more are set to be completed by the end of 2025,” Sonowal said after the review.
He recurrent that the Northeast remains a top priority for the Modi government, stressing the need to align all development work with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.
Focus on Skill Development and Maritime Capacity
The Minister also emphasized skilling the youth of Assam and the Northeast in advanced maritime sectors. Institutions such as the Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and the Centre of Excellence for Inland Water Transport in Dibrugarh have been tasked with preparing a future-ready workforce trained in logistics, vessel operations, and cargo handling.
“The Northeast is not just a gateway to Southeast Asia but a key driver in India’s maritime future. We are investing in both talent and infrastructure to usher in a new era of inland transport and economic growth,” Sonowal said.
Major Projects Across Brahmaputra and Barak Rivers
Infrastructure is being rapidly developed across National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra) and National Waterway-16 (Barak) to enhance cruise tourism, cargo handling, and regional connectivity. Key initiatives include:
Rs.1,500 crore earmarked for cruise and cargo infrastructure by 2027–28
New jetties at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, and Guijan
Rs.208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu
Rs.315 crore Water Metro project in Guwahati and Dibrugarh, featuring two electric catamarans by Cochin Shipyard
Rs.100 crore cruise terminal in Guwahati
Rs.120 crore Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Dibrugarh
Sonowal also measured the inland water transport project at Doyang Lake, and travelled the tourism potential of Noune and Shilloi Lakes in Nagaland for water sports.
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Ensuring Navigability and Long-Term Connectivity
To maintain consistent water levels along the Brahmaputra, the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) has been tasked with ensuring a minimum draft of 2.5 meters from the Bangladesh border to Pandu. An additional Rs.191 crore has been sanctioned for this work through 2026–27.
Procurement of two cutter suction dredgers and advanced survey equipment is also underway. On the Barak River, floating terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur are progressing as part of the government's mission to transform the region into a maritime gateway.
Toward Viksit Bharat by 2047
Concluding the review, Sonowal reiterated the central government's long-term vision:
“Since 2014, we’ve revived this once-neglected mode of transport. Inland waterways will play a pivotal role in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat and a developed India, Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
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