Centre Announces Rs 5,000 Crore Push to Boost Waterways and Maritime Sector in Northeast

Guwahati, Jul 8 (KNN) The Union government has unveiled a comprehensive Rs 5,000 crore plan to strengthen the maritime and waterways infrastructure in the Northeast region, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday.

Addressing the media in Guwahati, Sonowal highlighted the Ministry’s efforts over the past 11 years in transforming India’s maritime sector.

These include doubling the capacity of major ports, improving coastal shipping, and launching green shipping and cruise tourism initiatives. “Our aim is to make India a global maritime powerhouse,” he said.

To equip the youth for opportunities in this growing sector, the government will train 50,000 individuals from the Northeast in maritime skills over the next decade.

A Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and a Rs 200 crore Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh are expected to generate 500 jobs annually.

Inland Waterways development in the region has also seen significant investments. Projects worth Rs 1,000 crore are underway—Rs 300 crore of which is already completed—with the rest slated for 2025.

New cargo terminals, heritage site development, tourist jetties, and lighthouse installations are among the key developments.

Sonowal also confirmed that the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project between India and Myanmar will be fully operational by 2027. The project, part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, will offer the Northeast direct access to Southeast Asian markets.

To enhance connectivity and cargo movement, 100 barges operated by a global logistics firm will be introduced, alongside the deployment of 10 modern dredgers. Additionally, 85 community jetties will be built across the region.

Tourism will also get a boost through Rs 300 crore investments in cargo and tourist jetties and the development of Water Metro projects in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh.

(KNN Bureau)