Minister Sonowal Announces Rs 4,800 Cr Investment For Assam's Inland Waterways

Dispur, Feb 27 (KNN) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has announced a substantial investment exceeding Rs 4,800 crore aimed at transforming Assam's inland waterways sector. 

The announcement was made during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit in Guwahati, highlighting the strategic importance of the state's complex waterway network in advancing regional development and supporting the Prime Minister's Viksit Bharat vision.

Addressing the session on Assam's Roads, Railway and Riverine Tourism on the second day of the investment summit, Minister Sonowal emphasised how inland waterways serve as crucial components in the region's development strategy. 

The Minister highlighted the significance of Assam's waterway infrastructure, particularly the Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16) rivers, describing them as traditional conduits for trade and commerce. 

He underscored that inland waterways represent an economically efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation alternative for both cargo and passengers, pointing to initiatives like 'Jalvahak' that incentivise businesses to utilise these routes.

A key component of the investment package includes Rs 1,500 crore allocated for the 'Harit Nauka' scheme, which aims to facilitate a transition to Green Vessels by 2030. 

An additional Rs 1,500 crore has been earmarked to enhance cruise tourism and expand cargo handling capacity along NW2 and NW16 by 2027-28, encompassing construction of jetties with onshore facilities at multiple locations including Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, and Guijan.

The development plan also includes Rs 375 crore for Phase II of the Ship Repair Facility at Pandu and Rs 191 crore designated for maintaining fairway development. 

The Dredging Corporation of India has been tasked with ensuring an assured draft of 2.5 meters from the Bangladesh Border to Pandu in NW-2 until 2026-27.

Minister Sonowal announced several additional projects, including a Water Metro Service in Guwahati and Dhubri with an estimated investment of Rs 315 crore, deployment of two Electric Catamarans being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, and development of a world-class cruise terminal in Guwahati at a cost of approximately Rs 100 crore.

The comprehensive development strategy further includes Rs 120 crore for a Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh, construction of Riverine Lighthouses at five locations—Bogibeel, Biswanath, Nimati, Pandu, and Silghat—with an allocated budget of Rs 100 crore, and Rs 150 crore for fairway development between Pandu and Bogibeel.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India is currently implementing projects valued at Rs 1,010 crore along the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. 

Notable developments include a ship repair facility at Pandu (Rs 208 crore), an alternate road connecting Pandu to NH27 (Rs 180 crore), and new Inland Waterways Terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa with investments exceeding Rs 66 crore and Rs 82 crore respectively.

Under the Sagarmala Scheme, the flagship program of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, more than Rs 646 crore has been allocated for riverine infrastructure development across the Brahmaputra. 

For the Barak River, the Minister announced procurement of survey vessels, amphibian dredgers, and construction of terminal facilities at Karimganj and Badarpur.

(KNN Bureau)