The Union government is investing significantly in the modernization of inland water transport (IWT) across the North-Eastern States, focusing on multiple national waterways and associated infrastructure. According to data presented to the Rajya Sabha, the extensive development of National Waterway-2 (NW-2) on the Brahmaputra River is underway with a budget of Rs 498 crore, covering the period from 2020–21 to 2024–25. This initiative includes constructing terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa, establishing tourist jetties at Bogibeel and Pandu, enhancing fairway development, and installing navigational aids to assist shipping. Additionally, a ship repair facility at Pandu and an elevated road linking National Highway 27 to Pandu Port and the ship repair facility are being developed at a further cost of Rs 419 crore.
On National Waterway-16 (NW-16) along the Barak River, development efforts totaling Rs 134.72 crore have been implemented since 2020–21. These improvements feature upgrading terminals at Badarpur and Karimganj, enhancing fairway conditions, maintaining navigational aids, and acquiring amphibious dredgers. Meanwhile, National Waterway-57 (NW-57) on the Kopili River has begun operations, successfully transporting 300 metric tonnes of cement from Chandrapur in Kamrup district to Hatsingimari in South Salmara–Mankachar district.
Several projects have been approved under the Central Sector Schemes aimed at developing the IWT infrastructure in the North-Eastern States. These projects focus on enhancing terminals, improving fairways, and acquiring small passenger vessels. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is also working to promote river cruise tourism in the region. The Inland Waterways Authority of India, which operates autonomously under the ministry, is in the process of developing dedicated cruise terminals on NW-2 in locations such as Guwahati, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat, and Guijan.
In addition, a Special Purpose Vehicle, which includes Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited, the Inland Waterways Authority of India, and the Inland Water Transport and Tourism Department of the Government of Assam, is spearheading the creation of a religious tourism circuit. This circuit is expected to connect seven temples-Lachit Ghat, Aswanta Temple Ghat, Doul Govinda Mandir Ghat, Hanuman Mandir Ghat at Uzan Bazar, Umananda Ghat, Pandunath Ghat, and Kamakhya Temple-using suitable vessels in a hop-on, hop-off model. These updates were disclosed by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.
Original Source: https://eastmojo.com/free-digest/2025/12/17/inland-waterways-projects-worth-rs-1000-crore-underway-in-northeast/
Category: Free Digest,News,Northeast News,Recent Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-12-17 17:37:00
