HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Dec 25: The Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal visited the project sites at Bogibeel to review the progress of jetties on Monday.
The Union minister directed the authorities to ensure quality in the construction of the projects, which are likely to fasten the cargo movement via Brahmaputra onto the global trade ways.
Expressing his satisfaction over the progress at the Bogibeel, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “Dibrugarh has always been a major trade hub in Northeast India. Given its commercial importance and as the nerve centre of the region, the Narendra Modi led government is committed to regain its past glory. Waterways play an important role in the economic and commercial prospect. For long, the immense potential of Mahabahu Brahmaputra was ignored. Until Modiji became Prime Minister, the Bogibeel remained neglected.”
“We all know how the construction of the Bogibeel Bridge gained pace after Modi ji took charge. Similarly, under the leadership of the PM the waterways of India are being re-energised to propel growth and usher a new era of development. The jetties at Bogibeel and Guijan are being constructed with a view to provide an efficient mode of transportation for the trade interests of the region. I believe that the Marine Jetty at Bogibeel will be inaugurated this new year, unlocking huge possibilities for the people of this region,” he said.
The Inland Waterways of Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for waterways development in the country under the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, is undertaking multiple projects in Assam, aimed at development of the National Waterways in the region. IWAI is presently working on multiple projects with an investment of more than ₹850 crores in Assam.
On the additional infrastructure around Bogibeel, the Union minister said, “Bogibeel is placed at a strategically advantageous position. Under the inspiring leadership of PM Modiji, we are committed to further invest at Bogibeel to build additional infrastructure like an administrative office, customs clearance office, etc. This will turn Bogibeel into a value added proposition. We are committed to make Bogibeel as a major trade hub with multi-modal connectivity via railways, roads and waterways, providing a major boost to economic proposition of the region.”
The projects are being developed with technical assistance from IIT Mumbai and IIT Guwahati. The project at Bogibeel is being executed by the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL). Sonowal directed the officials to complete the seven floating jetties at Jogighopa, Tezpur, Biswanath, Nimati, Bindhakata, Oiramghat, and Sadiya. The recent spurt in cargo and tourist jetties will be maintained with this initiative.
