CR of Rs 1,000 in inland waterway project in Northeast Assam in 2066: Trade Union Minister
India Inland Waterway Authority (IWAI), Public Works Department (PWD), Indian Port Railways and Cableways
Limited (IPRCL) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
The minister stressed the need to complete the project on time in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader vision.
“The Northeast is the top priority of Prime Minister Pm Narendra Modi Ji and our work in the region must be in sync with Viksit Bharat’s vision,” Sarbananda Sonowal asserted at the meeting.
“Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we are developing a strong waterway infrastructure in Assam and the Northeast with a project worth Rs 1,000 crore anvil, by 2026. By 2026, a 300 rupees track has been invested in the last two years and the company has completed a job. By the end of 2025, these efforts are aimed at promoting cargo and passenger movement, improving last-mile connectivity, promoting economic growth in the Northeast and aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable and inclusive transport solutions.”
The Alliance Government is actively developing major infrastructure projects for NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak), including the construction of passenger ships of various capacity, terminal facilities and capacity building programs. Sonowal also reviewed the progress of Doyang Lake’s proposed Inland Water Transport (IWT) project and evaluated the project
The noun of Nagaland and the potential of Lake Silo is used for water sports and tourism. Feasibility studies on the development of IWTs in Mizoram Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers and the Ummgot River (NW106) in Meghalaya were also reviewed.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is steadily moving towards Viksit Bharat’s goal. Assam and the northeast are at the heart of progress, inland waterways play a crucial role. Since 2014, the Modi government has ignored such means of transportation, especially such as brahmaputra (nw2) (nw2)eyver (nw2)666666666666666666666666666666. Businesses are encouraged to adopt this economic, efficient and environmentally friendly model to relieve pressure on roads and railways and to use Assam as the main driver of India’s journey to a self-reliance economy in 2047.”
Reviewing multiple projects from new infrastructure development to improve the capacity of the national waterways, to the expansion of skill development programmes in Assam and Northeast China in the maritime sector, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stressed the urgency and the need for optimal use of funds.
Another Sonoval said: “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, the government is
Establish new avenues for young people in Assam and the northeast to participate in the maritime growth in India. Through institutions such as the Maritime Skills Development Centre in Guwahati and the Dibrugarh Inland Water Transport Centre for Excellence, we are training a future employment workforce equipped for both inland and global maritime opportunities. These efforts are part of the greater pushing skills, empowering and hiring our young people to engage in logistics, cargo handling, vessel operations, and more, especially when we expand infrastructure on NW2 and NW16. The Northeast is not only a gateway to Southeast Asia, but it is a key factor in India’s journey to become a global maritime leader and to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047. ”
To further improve the cruise tourism and cargo handling capacity of National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak), key projects planned to be completed in 2027-28 have been designated, with more than Rs 15 billion. These include existing code headers built onshore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat and Guijan. In addition, a new building will be built in Fancy Bazar, Guwahati for use in the Ministry of Commerce Ocean (MSDC) regional offices and ITAT office spaces.
Sonowal also pointed to advances in proposed iron and iron services in Guwahati and Dhubri, with Cochin Shipyard Ltd’s investment of Rs 3.15 crore and two electric captains. The same is true at the Rs 100 crore cruise terminal in Guwahati and a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE) in Dibrugarh.
The infrastructure along Brahmaputra (NW2) includes five river lighthouses at key locations, Fairway development between Pandu and Bogibeel, with Rs 1.5 crore, as well as procurement of suction machines for two cutting machines. IWAI has implemented Rs 10.1 crore worth of projects on NW2 and NW16, including terminals in Bogibeel and Jogighopa, as well as a Rs 20.8 crore ship repair facility in Pandu.
On the Barak River (NW16), Sonowal reiterated the investigation and dredging equipment and conducted a floating dock at the Karimganj and Badarpur projects, reflecting the Modi government’s commitment to making the Northeast a hub for India’s maritime future.
To ensure stable accessibility along Brahmaputra, Indian Shuo and Company (DCI) has been commissioned to maintain a minimum guaranteed draft of 2.5 meters from the Bangladesh border, down from NW-2 to 2026-27.
