HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 26: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday announced an investment of Rs 4,800 crore for the development of waterways and related infrastructure in Assam over the next five years.
Sonowal was speaking at a session on the state’s road, railway, and riverine infrastructure during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit here.
Related Posts:
“I want to announce that in the next five years, Rs 4,800 crore will be invested by my ministry in Assam,” Sonowal said.
He further emphasised that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is advancing toward realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
“Assam and the Northeast play a crucial role in advancing this effort to realise PM Modi’s goal. Inland Waterways are an essential part of this plan, as the Prime Minister has worked to revive the sector from near oblivion and neglect since 2014,” he added.
Sonowal explained that with its rich network of rivers, the inland waterways in Assam aim to rejuvenate their historic role as the primary conduit for trade and commerce. Globally seen as a futuristic mode of transportation, inland waterways offer an economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to transport cargo and passengers.
“With the launch of schemes like Jalvahak, the Modi government has incentivized businesses to switch to inland waterways, improving economies of scale, decongesting railways and roadways, and creating an ecosystem that is essential for Assam’s crucial role in India’s rise as the world’s largest and most self-reliant economy by 2047,” he added.
At the summit, the Union Minister also announced an allocation of Rs 1,500 crore for the planned transition to Green Vessels by 2030 under the Harit Nauka scheme. Over Rs 1,500 crore has been earmarked to facilitate cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity by 2027-28 in NW2 and NW16. This includes the construction of jetties with onshore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, and Guijan, along with the construction of a new building for the Regional Office, MSDC, guest house, and office space for ITAT at Fancy Bazar in Guwahati.
An amount of Rs 375 crore has been allocated for the development of Phase II of the Ship Repair Facility at Pandu. To maintain the fairway, the government has entrusted the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) with ensuring a guaranteed draft of 2.5 meters from the Bangladesh border to Pandu in NW-2 until 2026-27, with Rs 191 crore earmarked for this purpose.
“Advantage Assam has always served as a catalyst for the region’s economic revival, providing businesses with a strategic platform to expand trade and investment opportunities. With the immense support Assam has received from our Prime Minister, we remain firmly committed to the holistic development of Assam and the Northeast’s economy,” Sonowal said.
“Among the various ongoing projects to enhance Assam’s inland waterways, we are also planning to transform conventional vessels into Green Vessels under the Harit Nauka scheme,” he added.
“This affirms our government’s commitment to sustainable development, a milestone set by our dynamic leader, Narendra Modi ji. Given the immense potential of riverine tourism in the state, we are developing an ecosystem that includes infrastructure and fairways for smooth, regular, and viable operations. You may be happy to know that Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), with its extensive experience in sea dredging, has been entrusted with dredging NW2—this will be the first such project on any river in India,” Sonowal said.
Sonowal also announced the development of the Water Metro Service in Guwahati and Dhubri with an estimated investment of Rs 315 crore. Based on the success of the Kochi Metro Service, a feasibility study is being conducted. He also announced the deployment of two Electric Catamarans being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). A world-class cruise terminal will also be built in Guwahati with an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore.
An investment of more than Rs 646 crore has been earmarked to construct riverine infrastructure across the Brahmaputra under the Sagarmala Scheme, the flagship program of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
At the session, the Union Minister was joined by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries.
