Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the Center will allocate an additional Rs 1,000 crore for inland waterways projects in Assam and the Northeast by 2026. Alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), the Public Works Department, and other organizations, he reviewed ongoing initiatives in the region.
Sonowal highlighted that Rs 1,000 crore worth of projects for the Northeast had been undertaken in the past two years, with Rs 300 crore already completed. The remaining projects, valued at Rs 700 crore, are expected to finish by 2025. He emphasized the need to develop advanced maritime skills in the local workforce to meet industry demands.
Key infrastructure developments along NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak) are underway, including constructing passenger vessels and terminal facilities. The minister also evaluated the potential of Doyang Lake for Inland Water Transport (IWT), as well as tourism opportunities at Noune and Shilloi lakes in Nagaland.
Feasibility studies for IWT development on the Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers in Mizoram, and Umiam Lake and the Ummgot River in Meghalaya, were discussed. Sonowal reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to making the Northeast a vital component of India’s maritime future through various infrastructure projects.
Share it now
