Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced on Wednesday a substantial investment exceeding ₹4,800 crore aimed at enhancing waterways and related infrastructure in Assam.
This investment is intended to harness the significant potential of Assam’s intricate and dynamic waterways system, contributing to the region’s growth and development in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India, referred to as Viksit Bharat. Sonowal made these statements during the ongoing investment summit, Assam 2.0.
He highlighted that Assam’s extensive river network, particularly the Brahmaputra (National Waterway 2) and Barak (National Waterway 16), is poised to rejuvenate its historical role as a key artery for trade and commerce.
Sonowal emphasized that inland waterways are viewed globally as a forward-thinking solution, offering a more cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly means of transporting both goods and passengers. He noted that initiatives like ‘Jalvahak’ have been introduced to encourage businesses to transition to inland transportation methods. This shift is expected to enhance economies of scale, alleviate congestion on rail and road networks, and foster a supportive ecosystem critical for Assam’s transformative role in India’s emergence as a leading self-reliant economy by 2047.
During the summit, Sonowal also revealed an allocation of ₹1,500 crore aimed at transitioning to Green Vessels by the year 2030 through the ‘Harit Nauka’ initiative. Additionally, over ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked to boost cruise tourism and improve cargo handling capacity in National Waterways 2 and 16 by 2027-28.
