GUWAHATI, Feb 27: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled a comprehensive Rs. 4,800 crore investment plan to enhance Assam’s inland waterways sector during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit on Wednesday. The ambitious plan aims to revive and strengthen Assam’s water transportation system, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” and positioning Assam as a central player in India’s growth trajectory.
In his address, Sonowal emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming Assam into a hub for riverine trade and tourism. A significant part of the plan includes an allocation of Rs. 1,500 crore for the transition to green vessels by 2030, under the ‘Harit Nauka Scheme.’ Additionally, Rs. 315 crore will be invested in the development of a world-class water metro service in Guwahati and Dhubri, expected to revolutionize urban transportation along Assam’s waterways.
“Assam’s rich network of river systems, notably the Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16), will play an ageless role in trade and commerce,” Sonowal said. “Globally, inland waterways are considered a futuristic mode of transportation, offering an economic, efficient, and environment-friendly alternative for moving cargo and passengers.”
He further highlighted the government’s efforts to incentivize businesses through schemes like ‘Jalvahak,’ which aims to shift cargo transport to inland waterways. This initiative is expected to decongest railways and roadways while boosting Assam’s critical role in India’s quest to become the world’s largest and an Atmanirbhar economy by 2047.
In Dibrugarh, the Centre has allocated Rs. 120 crore to establish a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE), further enhancing the state’s maritime infrastructure. Additionally, Rs. 100 crore will be used to build riverine lighthouses at five strategic locations along the Brahmaputra, including Bogibeel, Biswanath, Nimati, Pandu, and Silghat, to ensure safe navigation.
A key part of the initiative also involves the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), which will maintain a 2.5-meter draft from the Bangladesh border to Pandu, with an investment of Rs. 191 crore dedicated to the project. This will ensure smoother waterway operations and improve accessibility for transportation.
Sonowal also pointed out that the inland waterways sector will play a vital role in reducing congestion on roads and railways while promoting eco-friendly and cost-efficient transport options for both cargo and passengers. The Centre’s Sagarmala scheme will contribute an additional Rs. 646 crore toward constructing riverine infrastructure along the Brahmaputra.
The summit was attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with other dignitaries and industry leaders. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for riverine transportation, is currently implementing projects worth Rs. 1,010 crore along the Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16) rivers in Assam.
Among the major projects under the IWAI, a ship repair facility is being developed at Panda with an investment of Rs. 208 crore. An alternate road connecting Pandu to NH27 is being constructed with an investment of Rs. 180 crore. New Inland Waterways Terminals (IWT) at Bogibeel and Jogighopa are also under development, with investments of over Rs. 66 crore and Rs. 82 crore, respectively. These projects are expected to unlock opportunities for further economic growth in the region.
Earlier, on February 18, Sonowal inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa, a project for which the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2021.
