Guwahati: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced a ₹5,000 crore investment plan to enhance inland waterways and maritime infrastructure in Northeast India. The announcement came during a review meeting in Guwahati with top officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL).
₹1,000 Crore Already Utilised, ₹700 Crore in Pipeline
In the past two years, MoPSW has spent ₹1,000 crore in the region. Of this, ₹300 crore worth of projects have been completed, while another ₹700 crore worth are set for completion by 2025. This is part of the central government’s mission to improve multimodal connectivity and economic development in the Northeast.
Empowering Northeast Youth Through Maritime Training
The Ministry has launched a long-term vision to train 50,000 youth from the Northeast in world-class maritime skills over the next decade. A Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati has been made operational. In addition, a Centre of Excellence for Maritime Innovation and Research is being set up in Guwahati with an investment of ₹200 crore. The combined initiatives are expected to create nearly 500 jobs every year.
Mr Sonowal stated, “Our vision is to train, enable, and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring meaningful employment and growth.”
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All-Weather Waterways: Dredgers and Barges on the Way
To ensure uninterrupted navigation throughout the year, the government will deploy 10 amphibian and cutter-suction dredgers worth ₹610 crore. These dredgers will help maintain depth and navigability of National Waterways 2 (Brahmaputra River) and 16 (Barak River). Furthermore, 100 modern barges are being brought in through a partnership with global logistics leader Rhenus.
Sonowal said, “To unlock the true economic potential of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, we are investing ₹610 crore to deploy 10 state-of-the-art dredgers, ensuring all-weather navigability.”
Cruise Terminals, Jetties, and Lighthouses for River Tourism
The Ministry is developing community jetties and cruise terminals to promote river tourism. Under this, 85 community jetties are being constructed. Passenger and cargo terminals at Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan worth ₹300 crore are also in the works.
In addition, feasibility studies have been completed for cruise terminals in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh. Plans are in motion to introduce Water Metro services in these three cities. Lighthouses and modern terminals with Indian Meteorological Department facilities are also being constructed in Pandu, Tezpur, Biswanath Ghat, and Bogibeel.
Kaladan Multimodal Project to Be Completed by 2027
Sonowal announced that the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, a major initiative under the India–Myanmar Friendship Treaty, will be fully operational by 2027. This project will connect Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Paletwa via river and onward to Zorinpui in Mizoram by road. It is expected to enhance connectivity between India’s Northeast and Myanmar and boost international trade with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Southeast Asian nations.
Mr Sonowal said, “This is a strategic initiative to enhance connectivity between India’s Northeast and Myanmar. It will unlock new trade opportunities for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar by connecting them with Southeast Asia.”
Cutting Travel Costs Through Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route
The central government aims to reduce logistics costs by improving transport efficiency. Under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, cargo will travel from Kolkata to Sittwe via Teknaf Port in Bangladesh. From there, it will be transported by road to Sabroom in Tripura, bypassing the congested Siliguri Corridor.
This multi-pronged strategy not only reduces costs but also improves delivery timelines for cargo movement.
Viksit Bharat and Act East Policy Fueling Vision
The ₹5,000 crore investment aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy and Viksit Bharat Vision. By turning rivers into economic corridors, the government aims to make the Northeast a critical node in India’s maritime and logistics infrastructure.
Mr Sonowal concluded, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are turning our rivers into economic corridors. With investments of ₹5,000 crore in the region, we are working toward improving multimodal connectivity and making the Northeast the gateway of New India’s growth.”
