Assam's Inland Water Transport Projects Worth ₹526 Crore Launched
Major Developments in Assam's Water Transport
GUWAHATI, March 15: Assam is poised to enhance its water transport capabilities with the initiation of four significant projects totaling ₹526 crore aimed at improving inland water transport.
The initiatives include a modern elevated road corridor linking Pandu Port in Guwahati to National Highway-27, a Cruise Terminal at Biswanath Ghat, a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Bogibeel, Dibrugarh, and another Cruise Terminal at Neamati.
These projects, which are being executed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, represent a substantial investment to enhance infrastructure along the Brahmaputra river (NW-2).
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long acknowledged the significant potential of inland waterways as a sustainable and economical means for transporting passengers and goods.
Under Modi's guidance, a new era of connectivity and development is unfolding across the Northeastern states, facilitated by terminals, jetties, and infrastructure linked to waterways, thereby transforming livelihoods and reinforcing India's Act East Policy commitments.
Sonowal remarked that the inaugurated and initiated projects are a direct reflection of the Prime Minister's vision for a well-connected and developed Northeast.
The elevated road corridor, which connects the Pandu Port Complex to NH-27 with an investment of ₹180 crore, addresses the crucial last-mile connectivity issue between one of NW-2’s key river terminals and the national highway network. Designed to alleviate urban congestion in Guwahati, this corridor will facilitate smooth cargo movement and significantly enhance inland waterways logistics for regional businesses.
The foundation stone for the Cruise Terminal at Biswanath Ghat was laid on March 13, marking a step towards establishing modern cruise infrastructure along the Brahmaputra. This terminal aims to improve passenger facilities, support river cruise operations, and create new economic opportunities for local communities in tourism, hospitality, and handicrafts.
The RCoE at Bogibeel, which recently held its bhoomi pujan, is being developed with an investment of ₹188 crore. This will be the first maritime skill development hub in the Northeast, training over 5,000 students annually in vessel operations, inland navigation, and maritime logistics. It will also feature research and development facilities for crew and trainee programs, contributing to the skilled workforce needed for India's growing inland waterways sector.
The Cruise Terminal at Neamati, also initiated with bhoomi pujan on March 13, aims to bolster cruise tourism and organized passenger movement along NW-2, enhancing infrastructure for tourists and local communities along the Brahmaputra corridor. The combined investment for the two cruise terminal projects at Biswanath Ghat and Neamati is ₹158 crore.
Collectively, these four projects are set to enhance trade, tourism, skills, employment, and both regional and global connectivity along NW-2, furthering the Government of India’s vision for the Brahmaputra as a transformative logistics and tourism corridor for Assam and the broader Northeast.