**Executive Summary**
The Union Government has announced a ₹4,800 crore investment plan over the next five years to transform the Brahmaputra into a multi-functional economic corridor. Reviewed during the High Powered Review Board (HPRB) meeting on May 19, 2026, the strategy focuses on integrating modern technology with traditional water management to boost trade, tourism, and regional connectivity. Key objectives include modernization of the Brahmaputra Board and the implementation of the State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF).
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Financial Investment and Infrastructure**
* **Funding Allocation:** A future pipeline of projects worth approximately ₹4,800 crore is planned for the Northeast region.
* **Completed Works:** Projects totaling ₹751 crore have been finished in Assam, including terminals at Pandu, Dhubri, and Jogighopa.
* **Ongoing Projects:** Over ₹1,100 crore is currently being invested in fairway development, ship repair facilities, and tourist jetties.
* **Future Assets:** Plans include the development of 79 community jetties, procurement of dredgers and cargo fleets, and the introduction of urban water transport systems.
**Policy and Organizational Reform**
* **Brahmaputra Board Modernization:** The board is being repositioned as a technology-driven, knowledge-based River Basin Organisation (RBO) utilizing digital governance and data-driven monitoring.
* **State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF):** A new initiative launched to strengthen sustainable water governance across states.
* **Research Revitalization:** Strengthening of research institutions, specifically the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI).
**Strategic Connectivity and Technology**
* **National Waterway 2 (NW2):** Prioritizing the transport corridor linking the Northeast to Kolkata and Haldia ports via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
* **Advanced Tools:** Adoption of GIS-based planning, LiDAR, and hydrological modelling for scientific river basin planning and flood control.
* **Act East Policy:** Utilizing inland waterways as a strategic, cost-effective alternative to road and rail to enhance cross-border trade.
**Impact Analysis**
**Northeast State Governments**
**Impact**
States are central to the Integrated River Development Strategy and the new State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF).
**Action Required**
Must ensure greater coordination among basin states and implement sustainable water governance reforms as per the SWRF.
**Brahmaputra Board**
**Impact**
The organization is undergoing a structural shift toward becoming a technology-driven RBO.
**Action Required**
Must adopt digital governance systems, data-driven project monitoring, and revitalize its research arm, NEHARI.
**Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)**
**Impact**
IWAI is tasked with realizing the potential of NW2 and managing the surge in cargo movement, which grew from 18 million metric tonnes in 2014 to 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26.
**Action Required**
Continue infrastructure development, including the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh and ship repair facilities at Pandu.
**Logistics and Tourism Sectors**
**Impact**
The investment in cargo vessels, cruise terminals, and community jetties will reduce transport costs and emissions.
**Action Required**
Private and public operators must prepare to utilize enhanced last-mile connectivity and new river-based tourism infrastructure.
Key Entities Referenced
Brahmaputra Board: The statutory body being transformed into a technology-driven River Basin Organisation (RBO) to lead integrated river basin planning and flood control in the Northeast.
State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF): A new Union Government initiative launched to strengthen sustainable water governance and reform initiatives across Indian states.
National Waterway 2 (NW2): The regulatory designation for the Brahmaputra river segment being developed as a critical national asset for connectivity and economic growth.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): The primary agency responsible for developing the transport potential of the Brahmaputra and managing its integration with international trade routes.
Act East Policy: The overarching national strategic policy for which the development of inland waterways serves as a lever for cross-border connectivity and regional trade.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Centre Bets Big on Brahmaputra as Economic
Lifeline: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal Push for Integrated River Development
Strategy at High Level HPRB Meet
Meet Mooted the Vision of Transforming Brahmaputra Board
into a Knowledge based River Basin Organisation (RBO)
Importance of traditional, indigenous and sustainable water
management practices of NER must be intertwined with
modern modern River Basin Management for optimal utility:
Sarbananda Sonowal
Centre Plans ₹4,800 Crore Inland Waterways Push in
Northeast Over Next Five Years: Sarbananda Sonowal
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 9:25PM by PIB Delhi
PM Narendra Modi led Union Government is scaling up efforts to transform the Brahmaputra into a multi-
functional economic corridor, with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW),
Sarbananda Sonowal spearheading an integrated push that combines transport, trade, tourism and river
management.
The push was reviewed at the High Powered Review Board (HPRB) meeting of the Brahmaputra Board in
Guwahati, Assam today, where ministers, technical experts and state representatives deliberated on
strengthening scientific river basin planning, flood control and sustainable utilisation of water resources
across the Northeast. The meeting also emphasised greater coordination among basin states and the
adoption of advanced technologies such as GIS, LiDAR and hydrological modelling.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “At the heart of this strategy is the
recognition of the Brahmaputra not merely as a river, but as a critical national asset capable of driving
connectivity and economic growth across the Northeast. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
has been working towards realising the true potential of Brahmaputra, declared as the National Waterway
2 (NW2), as it provides a vital inland transport corridor linking Assam, along with the other parts of
Northeast, to Kolkata and Haldia ports through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR), reviving an
environmentally sustainable, economic and efficient mode of transportation.”In Assam, projects worth around ₹751 crore have already been completed, including key terminals at
Pandu, Dhubri and Jogighopa, along with floating jetties and upgraded shore facilities. Ongoing works
exceeding ₹1,100 crore include fairway development along the Brahmaputra, ship repair facilities, tourist
jetties and the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh.
Adding further, Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the move by the Union Government to launch the State
Water Reforms Framework (SWRF) to strengthen sustainable water governance and reform initiatives
across states.
“Developing the Brahmaputra is about creating a resilient and sustainable river ecosystem that supports
connectivity, commerce and communities. Integrated river basin planning combining flood management,
erosion control, dredging and infrastructure development is essential to ensure year-round navigability and
long-term economic growth. With the adoption of modern technologies such as GIS-based planning and
digital monitoring, we are working towards transforming our waterways into efficient, green and future-
ready transport corridors while preserving the ecological balance of the region, as envisioned by our
dynamic Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji,” argued Sarbananda Sonowal while advocating strongly
for Integrated River Development Strategy at the meet.
The government is also investing in a future pipeline of projects worth nearly ₹4,800 crore across the
Northeast, including community jetties, cargo vessels, dredgers and cruise terminals. These initiatives are
expected to strengthen last-mile connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and generate employment in
riverine regions.
At the policy level, the Brahmaputra Board is being repositioned as a modern, technology-driven river
basin organisation. Plans include digital governance systems, data-driven project monitoring and the
revitalisation of research institutions such as the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute
(NEHARI).
The Modi government also views the river as a “strategic lever for its Act East Policy”, enabling cross-
border connectivity and regional trade, added Sonowal. Inland waterways are increasingly being
positioned as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to road and rail transport,
reducing congestion, fuel consumption and emissions.
Under PM Narendra Modi’s government since 2014, the inland water transport in India and particularly in
the Northeast has witnessed rapid growth. Cargo movement on national waterways has increased from 18
million metric tonnes in 2014 to over 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26, underscoring the sector’s
expanding role in the logistics chain.
In the ensuing period, the inland waterways sector in the NER region likely to witness development of 79
community jetties, expansion of key facilities such as the Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in
Dibrugarh and the ship repair facility at Pandu, and construction of supporting infrastructure for Customs
and Immigration at strategic river ports. The plan also envisages procurement of dredgers, survey vessels
and cargo fleets, alongside the introduction of urban water transport systems and cruise terminals in
Assam. Officials said these investments are aimed at improving navigability, enhancing logistics
efficiency and unlocking the economic potential of river-based transport, even as technical challenges
such as heavy sediment load, shifting channels and recurring floods necessitate a scientific and integrated
river basin management approach.
The HPRB meeting was also attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil; Union Minister of
State (MoS) for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary; Assam Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog;
Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Biyuram Wahge; Manipur Tourism Minister Khuraijam LokenSingh; Meghalaya Water Resources Minister Metbah Lyngdoh; Mizoram IWRD Minister P.C.
Vanlalruata; Sikkim PHE Minister Sonam Lama; and Tripura Industries Minister Santana Chakma.
The meeting was also attended by advisors and the Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, Dr Ranbir Singh.
***MI/Indu
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