Sonowal announces Rs 4,800 crore to transform Assam’s waterways

Guwahati: Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday announced an investment exceeding Rs 4,800 crores to transform the inland waterways sector of the state during the second day of the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment and infrastructure summit.
Speaking at the session on Assam's Roads, Railway and Riverine Tourism, Sonowal announced allocation of Rs 1,500 crores for a systematic transition into green vessels by 2030 under the 'Harit Nauka' scheme. "An amount exceeding Rs 1,500 crores has been earmarked to facilitate cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity by 2027-28 in National Waterways (NW) 2 and NW16," he elaborated.
Sonowal disclosed that this encompasses construction of jetties with onshore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath ghat, Neamati Ghat and Guijan, alongside construction of a new building for Regional Office, MSDC, guest house and office space for ITAT at Fancy Bazar in Guwahati.
A sum of Rs 375 crores is allocated for development of Phase II of ship repair facility at Pandu in Guwahati. "For fairway maintenance, the government has entrusted Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) to ensure assured draft of 2.5 metres from Bangladesh border to Pandu in NW-2 till 2026-27. Rs 191 crores has been earmarked for this endeavour," Sonowal said.
Assam, alongside the northeast, plays a vital role in propelling this journey to actualise PM Modi's vision, he remarked, adding that inland waterways are crucial as Modi envisioned their revival since 2014.
"With its extensive network of riverine systems in the region, particularly in Assam with Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16), the inland waterways aims to rejuvenate its historical role as the primary conduit of trade and commerce. Globally recognised as futuristic, inland waterways offer an economical, efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transporting cargo and passengers," Sonowal explained.
With initiatives like 'Jalvahak', Sonowal highlighted that Modi-govt has been incentivising businesses to transition to inland waterways, thereby improving economies of scale, decongesting railways and roadways, and fostering a conducive ecosystem vital for Assam's pivotal role in India's progression towards becoming the world's largest and an Atmanirbhar economy by 2047.
Sonowal stated, "Advantage Assam has served as a catalyst for the region's economic revival, providing businesses with a strategic platform to expand their trade and investment opportunities."
"Given the immense potential of riverine tourism in the state, we are developing an ecosystem including infrastructure and fairway for smooth, regular and viable operations. You may be happy to know that the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), with its rich experience of dredging at the sea, has been entrusted with dredging the NW2, for the first time on any river in India," Sonowal said in his address.