**Summary:**
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed inland waterways infrastructure projects in Assam and the Northeast, reaffirming the government's commitment to developing the region's waterways. The government has invested ₹1,000 crore in Northeast Region (NER) projects over the past two years, with ₹300 crore completed and ₹700 crore slated for completion by 2025. An additional ₹1,000 crore investment is planned for inland waterways projects in the region by 2026. Key projects include infrastructure development on National Waterways 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak), including the construction of passenger vessels, terminal facilities, and capacity building initiatives. Feasibility studies are underway for IWT development on various lakes and rivers across the Northeast. To enhance cruise tourism and cargo handling, ₹1,500 crore has been allocated for projects to be completed by 2027-28, including modern jetties and improved facilities. The government is also focusing on skill development in the maritime sector through institutions like the Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and the Centre of Excellence for Inland Water Transport in Dibrugarh. Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) is tasked with maintaining navigability along the Brahmaputra. These efforts align with the vision of "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: A government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Assam Northeast: A region in India where inland waterways infrastructure projects are being reviewed and developed.
Inland Waterways: Refers to navigable rivers, canals, and lakes used for transportation and commerce.
NER: An abbreviation for Northeast Region. The context implies that the abbreviation is a reference to a geographical region within India.
Advanced Maritime Skillsets: Skills and knowledge required for the maritime industry.
PM Narendra Modi ji: The Prime Minister of India.
Viksit Bharat: A vision or initiative promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed India.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - likely the source of the press release.
MoPSW: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (abbreviation)
Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI: An authority responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways in India.
Public Works Department PWD: A government department responsible for public works.
Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited IPRCL: A corporation involved in port, rail, and ropeway projects.
Cochin Shipyard Limited CSL: A shipbuilding and repair company.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A vision for a self-reliant India.
NW2 Brahmaputra: National Waterway 2, the Brahmaputra River.
NW16 Barak: National Waterway 16, the Barak River.
Inland Water Transport IWT: Transportation using inland waterways.
Doyang Lake: A lake in Nagaland where an IWT project is proposed.
Noune and Shilloi Lakes: Lakes in Nagaland being assessed for water sports and tourism potential.
Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers: Rivers in Mizoram being studied for IWT development.
Umiam Lake: A lake in Meghalaya where feasibility studies for IWT development are being conducted.
Ummgot River NW106: A river in Meghalaya (National Waterway 106) where feasibility studies for IWT development are being conducted.
Jalvahak: A scheme encouraging businesses to use inland waterways for transportation.
Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati: An institution providing maritime skills training.
Centre of Excellence for Inland Water Transport in Dibrugarh: A center focused on inland water transport education and training.
Southeast Asia: A region to which the Northeast is a gateway via inland waterways.
National Waterways 2 Brahmaputra: National Waterway 2, the Brahmaputra River, used for cruise tourism and cargo handling.
National Waterways 16 Barak: National Waterway 16, the Barak River, used for cruise tourism and cargo handling.
Mercantile Marine Department MSDC: Likely an office within the Ministry that handles maritime affairs and development, located in Guwahati.
ITAT: Appears to be an organisation or establishment that requires office space in Guwahati.
Fancy Bazar: A location in Guwahati where a new building for the MSDC will be constructed.
Water Metro services in Guwahati and Dhubri: Proposed water metro services in Guwahati and Dhubri.
Regional Centre of Excellence RCoE in Dibrugarh: A center of excellence in Dibrugarh for inland water transport.
riverine lighthouses: Lighthouses located on rivers, specifically along the Brahmaputra.
Pandu and Bogibeel: Locations along the Brahmaputra river where fairway development is planned.
cutter suction dredgers: Equipment used for dredging waterways, being procured for the Brahmaputra.
Bogibeel and Jogighopa: Locations along the Brahmaputra river where terminals are planned.
Karimganj and Badarpur: Locations on the Barak River (NW16) where floating terminals are planned.
Dredging Corporation of India DCI: A corporation entrusted with maintaining navigability on the Brahmaputra.
Bangladesh border to Pandu: The stretch of the Brahmaputra River where a minimum draft will be maintained.
GDHHR Release ID: 2129724: A release identification number, likely for internal tracking.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Reviews Inland
Waterways Infra Projects in Assam & Northeast
“Centre to Invest Additional 1,000 crore Infra Push in
Inland Waterways Projects in Assam & Northeast in
2026”: Sarbananda Sonowal
“Govt has undertaken projects worth 1,000 crore for
NER in last two years with 300 crore works
completed, 700 crore works slated for completion by
2025”: Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal directs officials to hone talent
from Assam & Northeast with Advanced Maritime
Skillsets to suit industry needs
“Northeast is topmost priority for PM Narendra Modi
ji, our work in the region must sync with the vision of
Viksit Bharat”: Sarbananda Sonowal
Posted On: 19 MAY 2025 7:48PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, today reviewed the
ongoing projects in Assam and the Northeast with senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways (MoPSW), the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Public Works Department (PWD),
Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The
minister underscored the need to complete the projects on time in line with the broader vision of Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat. “Northeast is the topmost priority for PM Narendra Modi ji,
our work in the region must sync with the vision of Viksit Bharat,” asserted Sarbananda Sonowal at the
meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, the Union Minister said, “As per the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi ji, we are developing robust waterway infrastructure in Assam and the Northeast withprojects worth ₹1,000 crore on the anvil, targeted for completion by 2026. In last two years, more than
₹1,000 crore has been invested, with ₹300 crore worth of projects already completed. Following my review of
ongoing works in the region, we are on track to complete the remaining ₹700 crore projects by the end of
2025. These efforts aim to boost cargo and passenger movement, improve last-mile connectivity, promote
economic growth in the Northeast, and align with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat through
sustainable and inclusive transport solutions.”
The Union Government is actively developing key infrastructure projects along NW2 (Brahmaputra) and
NW16 (Barak), including the construction of passenger vessels of various capacities, terminal facilities, and
capacity-building initiatives. Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also reviewed progress on the
proposed Inland Water Transport (IWT) project at Doyang Lake, and assessed the potential of Noune and
Shilloi Lakes in Nagaland for water sports and tourism. Feasibility studies for IWT development on the
Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers in Mizoram, as well as on Umiam Lake and the Ummgot River (NW106) in
Meghalaya, were also reviewed.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s visionary leadership, India is steadily moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat. Assam and the
Northeast are central to this progress, with inland waterways playing a vital role. Since 2014, the Modi
government has revived this once-neglected mode of transport, especially through the Brahmaputra (NW2)
and Barak (NW16) rivers. Schemes like Jalvahak are encouraging businesses to adopt this economical,
efficient, and eco-friendly mode, reducing pressure on road and rail, and positioning Assam as a key driver in
India’s journey towards a self-reliant economy by 2047.”
Reviewing multiple projects ranging from new infrastructure development for capacity enhancement on
national waterways to scaling up with skill development initiatives for youth of Assam and the Northeast in
the maritime sector, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the urgency and the need for optimum
utilisation of funds.
Adding further, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi ji, the government is building new avenues for the youth of Assam and the Northeast to
participate in India's maritime growth. Through institutions like the Maritime Skill Development Centre in
Guwahati and the Centre of Excellence for Inland Water Transport in Dibrugarh, we are training a future-
ready workforce equipped for inland and global maritime opportunities. These efforts are part of a larger
push to skill, empower and employ our youth in logistics, cargo handling, vessel operations and
more—especially as we expand infrastructure on NW2 and NW16. The Northeast is not just a gateway to
Southeast Asia, but a key contributor to India’s journey towards becoming a global maritime leader and
achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
To further enhance cruise tourism and cargo handling capacity across National Waterways 2 (Brahmaputra)
and 16 (Barak), over ₹1,500 crore have been earmarked for key projects scheduled to be completed by 2027-
28. These include construction of modern jetties equipped with onshore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat,
Neamati Ghat, and Guijan. Additionally, a new building for the Regional Office of the Mercantile Marine
Department (MSDC), along with a guest house and office space for ITAT, will be constructed at Fancy Bazar
in Guwahati.
Shri Sonowal also noted progress on the proposed Water Metro services in Guwahati and Dhubri, with a ₹315
crore investment and two electric catamarans being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. A ₹100 crore cruise
terminal in Guwahati and a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Dibrugarh worth ₹120 crore are also in
the pipeline.
Infrastructure along Brahmaputra (NW2) includes five riverine lighthouses at key locations, fairway
development between Pandu and Bogibeel with ₹150 crore, and procurement of two cutter suction dredgers.
The IWAI is implementing ₹1,010 crore worth of projects across NW2 and NW16, including terminals at
Bogibeel and Jogighopa, and a ₹208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu.
On Barak River (NW16), Shri Sonowal reaffirmed that survey and dredging equipment, and floating terminals
at Karimganj and Badarpur projects reflect the Modi Government’s commitment to making the Northeast a
hub of India’s maritime future.To ensure consistent navigability along the Brahmaputra, the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) has been
entrusted with maintaining a minimum assured draft of 2.5 meter from the Bangladesh border to Pandu under
NW-2 until 2026-27. For this effort, an additional ₹191 crore has been sanctioned. These measures are a part
of the Union Government’s broader initiative to integrate Northeast India into the country’s maritime growth
trajectory, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials from the MoPSW, the IWAI, the CSL and IPRCL among
others.***
GDH/HR
(Release ID: 2129724)