GUWAHATI, July 7: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the Centre aims to create 50,000 jobs for youth from the Northeast in the maritime sector over the next ten years.
Speaking at a press briefing in Guwahati, Sonowal said the initiative is part of a larger national plan under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal to position India among the top global shipbuilding nations by 2047.
To support this effort, a maritime training institute in Dibrugarh is being developed as a centre of excellence, and the Northeast Skill Development Centre has already begun training initiatives. The minister highlighted growing interest from international shipping companies and said that Germany-based Rhenus Logistics had recently conducted a feasibility study on the Brahmaputra, Barak, and Ganga rivers. The company has confirmed the viability of these rivers for inland shipping and plans to deploy 100 barge vessels starting this November.
Sonowal also announced the construction of four lighthouses in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silghat, and Biswanath, which will serve both as weather monitoring centres and tourist attractions. Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Earth Sciences to integrate these lighthouses into climate information infrastructure. To further boost eco-tourism and sustainable travel, a water metro service is being planned in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur, allowing tourists to explore Assam’s natural landscapes via river transport.
Additionally, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has approved the construction of 85 community jetties along the Brahmaputra to enhance connectivity and facilitate the movement of cargo and passenger vessels. The government believes these initiatives will generate large-scale employment, promote tourism, and strengthen economic infrastructure in the Northeast.
