**Executive Summary**
On February 27, 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated three inland waterways infrastructure projects in Dibrugarh on National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra). These projects include the Customs and Immigration Complexes at Bogibeel and Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the IWAI at Dibrugarh. The projects aim to bolster inland waterways, strengthen logistics, and enhance trade and tourism in the Northeast.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Projects Inaugurated:**
* Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel: A modern tourist-cum-cargo terminal integrating customs, immigration, and IWAI administrative functions.
* Customs and Immigration Complex at Dhubri: Designed to enhance regulatory oversight and boost export-import operations, positioning Dhubri as a strategic gateway.
* Renovated Heritage Building at Dibrugarh: Combines restoration of architectural features with upgraded operational infrastructure to serve IWAI's administrative requirements.
* **National Waterways Act, 2016:**
* 20 rivers in the Northeast have been declared National Waterways.
* The Brahmaputra (NW-2), Barak (NW-16), Dhansiri (NW-31), and Kopili (NW-57) are being actively developed.
* **Objectives:**
* Strengthen logistics and enhance passenger movement.
* Unlock fresh opportunities for trade and tourism in the Northeast.
* Reduce logistics costs and strengthen cross-border trade.
* Reinforce the Brahmaputra's role as a dependable and sustainable economic corridor for the Northeast.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Traders and Businesses**
* **Impact:** Reduced logistics costs, strengthened cross-border trade, and increased opportunities for import/export operations and trade in the Northeast region.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the enhanced infrastructure and streamlined processes to expand trade activities along NW-2, particularly with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
**Stakeholder: Tourists**
* **Impact:** Enhanced passenger movement and improved facilities at key transit points, along with the promotion of riverine tourism.
* **Action Required:** Explore opportunities for tourism along the Brahmaputra, utilizing the improved infrastructure for travel and recreation.
**Stakeholder: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)**
* **Impact:** Improved operational efficiency along NW-2 with the renovated Heritage Building and integrated administrative functions within the Customs and Immigration Complexes.
* **Action Required:** Optimize administrative operations to capitalize on the newly established infrastructure.
**Stakeholder: Northeast India**
* **Impact:** Economic growth, improved connectivity, and enhanced trade and tourism opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of the infrastructural development to promote the Northeast as a strategic engine of economic growth.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra): A major inland waterway in India, the focus of infrastructure projects mentioned in the article.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): The regulatory body whose administrative building has been renovated, and which plays a key role in developing inland waterways.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW): The central government ministry responsible for the development of ports, shipping, and waterways.
Dibrugarh: Location of inauguration of the projects and important to the applicability of the infrastructure.
National Waterways Act, 2016: Act governing the declaration and development of National Waterways in India.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Three Projects
to Bolster Inland Waterways on Brahmaputra
(NW 2) in Dibrugarh
“Vikas and Virasat: Bogibeel, Dhubri Complexes and IWAI
Heritage Building Give Fresh Push to NW-2 on Brahmaputra:”
Sarbananda Sonowal
Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated
three major inland waterways infrastructure projects in Dibrugarh on National Waterway-2 (River
Brahmaputra), underscoring what he described as a balanced approach of “Vikas and Virasat” under Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
The projects include the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel, the Customs and Immigration
Complex at Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India
(IWAI) at Dibrugarh.
The programme, held at Chowkidingee Field, was attended by Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan,
Public Works Minister Jogen Mohan, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Borah. MP
Rameswar Teli, MLAs Terash Gowalla, Chakradhar Gogoi, Binod Hazarika, Ponakan Baruah,
Taranga Gogoi, Sanjoy Kishan, and Bhaskar Sharma were also present, along with Vijay Kumar,
IAS, Secretary, MoPSW and Sunil Paliwal, Chairman, IWAI, among other senior officials of the Ministry
and IWAI.
Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the projects reflect the dynamic governance model of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi that seeks rapid development without losing cultural identity.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are moving ahead with a clear
vision of Vikas and Virasat. We are striving toward progress and economic development while preserving
our roots, our heritage and our culture. The Brahmaputra is not just a river; it is our lifeline, our history
and our future,” Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Sonowal said the newly inaugurated infrastructure will strengthen logistics, enhance passenger movement
and unlock fresh opportunities for trade and tourism in the Northeast.
The Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel has been developed as part of a modern tourist-cum-
cargo terminal integrating customs, immigration and IWAI administrative functions within a single
complex. The facility includes dedicated arrival and departure waiting halls, cargo storage areas,
administrative blocks, staff amenities and integrated security systems, aimed at improving operational
efficiency along NW-2 and facilitating trade under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.The Dhubri Customs and Immigration Complex is designed to enhance regulatory oversight and boost
export-import operations in western Assam, positioning the town 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 the building will serve IWAI’s administrative
requirements on NW-2 while also contributing to riverine tourism and preserving the region’s architectural
legacy.
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) being
actively developed.
Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Sunil Paliwal, IAS,
Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, highlighted the government’s initiatives to strengthen
inland waterways as a viable alternative mode of transport and to revive traditional river-based
connectivity for promoting trade and tourism. They expressed confidence that the infrastructure being
developed on National Waterway–2 would further accelerate efforts to position the Northeast as an engine
of growth.
The projects are expected to reduce logistics costs, strengthen cross-border trade, improve passenger and
cargo movement and reinforce the Brahmaputra’s role as a dependable and sustainable economic corridor
for the Northeast.
***PN/IY
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