Assam: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday conducted a comprehensive review of waterways infrastructure projects in Assam and the Northeast region. The high-level meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Waterways and Shipping, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Cochin Shipyard Limited, Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation, and the state’s Public Works Department. The aim of the meeting was to plan regional development in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a ‘developed India’.
Projects worth ₹1,000 crore on waterways development will be completed on time
Minister Sonowal said that the Northeast is a priority of the Government of India. Under the ₹1,000 crore waterways development scheme for the region, works worth ₹300 crore have been completed so far and the remaining ₹700 crore projects will be completed by the end of 2025. These projects include building modern passenger ships on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, modernization of terminal infrastructure, and capacity development. Proposed schemes for water transport and tourism in Doyang, Naune and Shilloi lakes of Nagaland were also reviewed.
Waterways a vehicle for economic development
The government considers waterways as a major vehicle for economic development. Sonowal said that since 2014, the Modi government has revived waterways. Programmes like Jalvaak are helping traders to adopt economical and eco-friendly transport options. This is also reducing pressure on road and rail transport. Also, a Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and a Centre of Excellence for Inland Water Transport in Dibrugarh are being set up, where local youth will be trained to prepare them for waterways-related jobs.
Future plans and development targets
The government has earmarked projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore to be completed by 2027-28. These include construction of modern jetties at Silghat, Vishwanath Ghat, Nayamati Ghat and Guijan. A new cruise terminal worth ₹100 crore in Guwahati and two electric catamarans will be operated under the ₹315 crore water metro project. IWAI is carrying out works worth ₹1,010 crore on National Waterways 2 and 16, including terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa and a ship repair facility worth ₹208 crore at Pandu. To maintain navigability of the Brahmaputra river throughout the year, the Deeping Corporation of India has been entrusted with the task of maintaining a minimum water depth of 2.5 metres by 2026-27. The minister stressed that Northeast India is not just the gateway to South-East Asia but also an important pillar in India’s global maritime leadership.
