Center to Provide an Extra ₹1,000 Crore to Northeastern Waterways Projects: Sonowal

By Admin

20 May, 2025

The Government of India is reinforcing its commitment to the development of inland waterways in the Northeastern region by announcing an additional allocation of ₹1,000 crore in 2026. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, shared this ambitious vision while reviewing key infrastructure projects along National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra) and National Waterway-16 (Barak River).

Major Boost to Waterways Infrastructure

In an extensive review meeting held with senior representatives from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), the Public Works Department (PWD), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL), the minister assessed the ongoing and upcoming initiatives. The government has already undertaken ₹1,000 crore worth of projects in the region over the past two years, of which ₹300 crore has been completed. The remaining ₹700 crore in projects are expected to be completed by 2025.

Focus on NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak)

The focus remains strong on developing critical waterway infrastructure along NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak). These efforts include:

• Construction of passenger vessels with various capacities to enhance connectivity and travel efficiency.
  
  

• Development of terminal facilities to streamline operations and improve logistics.
  
  

• Capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening local talent and technical capabilities.
  
  

These developments align with the broader goal of making the Northeast a gateway to Southeast Asia and positioning it as a strategic maritime hub.

Skill Development for the Maritime Sector

Sonowal emphasized the importance of nurturing skilled human resources within the region. He directed officials to hone maritime talents from Assam and the Northeast, equipping them with advanced maritime skillsets that align with industry requirements. This move not only supports the shipping ecosystem but also provides promising employment opportunities for the youth.

Expansion to Tourism and IWT Projects

The minister also reviewed the progress of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) project at Doyang Lake and assessed the tourism and water sports potential of Noune and Shilloi lakes in Nagaland. In addition, feasibility studies were examined for IWT development on several key water bodies:

• Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers in Mizoram
  
  

• Umiam Lake and Ummgot River (NW106) in Meghalaya
  
  

These studies will pave the way for sustainable and eco-friendly transport and tourism initiatives in the region.

Enhancing Barak River's Role in Maritime Growth

On Barak River (NW16), Sonowal reaffirmed the central government's dedication by highlighting the deployment of survey and dredging equipment and the construction of floating terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur. These developments represent a crucial step in integrating the Northeast into India’s broader Blue Economy strategy.

Conclusion

With this additional funding of ₹1,000 crore and ongoing projects already worth the same amount, the government’s initiative marks a significant leap toward transforming the Northeast into a vibrant hub of inland water transport and maritime activity. The combined efforts in infrastructure, capacity building, and tourism underscore a future-ready vision that promises economic growth, regional integration, and employment generation.