HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Feb 27: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated three major inland waterways infrastructure projects on National Waterway-2 (the Brahmaputra), highlighting what he termed a balanced approach of “Vikas and Virasat” under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
The projects include Customs and Immigration Complexes at Bogibeel and Dhubri, and the renovated heritage building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at Dibrugarh.
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The inauguration programme, held at Chowkidingee Field, was attended by Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, Public Works Minister Jogen Mohan and Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Borah. MPs and MLAs, including Rameswar Teli, Terash Gowalla, Chakradhar Gogoi, Binod Hazarika, Ponakan Baruah, Taranga Gogoi, Sanjoy Kishan and Bhaskar Sharma, were also present along with senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and IWAI.
Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the projects reflected the Centre’s governance model that aims for rapid development while preserving cultural identity.
He described the Brahmaputra as a lifeline of the Northeast and said the new infrastructure would strengthen logistics, enhance passenger movement and unlock fresh opportunities for trade and tourism in the region.
The Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel has been developed as a modern tourist-cum-cargo terminal, integrating customs, immigration and IWAI administrative functions under one roof.
Officials said the facility includes dedicated arrival and departure halls, cargo storage areas, administrative blocks, staff amenities and integrated security systems, and will facilitate trade under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.
The Dhubri Customs and Immigration Complex is expected to enhance regulatory oversight and boost export-import operations in western Assam, positioning Dhubri as a strategic gateway for inland water transport and cross-border commerce with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The renovated heritage building at Dibrugarh combines restoration of architectural features with upgraded operational infrastructure.
Officials said it will cater to IWAI’s administrative requirements on NW-2 while also contributing to riverine tourism and preserving the region’s architectural legacy.
Sonowal said that for decades the Brahmaputra’s potential had remained underutilised, but recent initiatives aim to reclaim it as a national growth engine by strengthening connectivity, empowering local communities and boosting trade and tourism.
Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, 20 rivers in the Northeast have been declared National Waterways, with the Brahmaputra (NW-2), Barak (NW-16), Dhansiri (NW-31) and Kopili (NW-57) currently under active development.
Officials said the newly inaugurated projects are expected to reduce logistics costs, improve passenger and cargo movement and reinforce the Brahmaputra’s role as a sustainable economic corridor for the Northeast.
