Centre Allocates Rs 1000 Cr More for Northeast Inland Waterways
The central government will invest an additional ₹1,000 crore in developing inland waterways across Assam and the Northeast by 2026, as part of a broader strategy to improve cargo and passenger connectivity in the region.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal made the announcement during an infrastructure review meeting in Guwahati, marking a major push under the National Waterways framework. This new allocation builds on ₹1,000 crore already sanctioned over the last two years, of which ₹300 crore worth of projects have been completed. The remaining ₹700 crore is expected to be utilised by 2025, setting the stage for the next phase of development. The investment will fund the scaling of critical infrastructure and operational capacity while reinforcing institutional support through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Notable ongoing projects include modern jetties at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, and Guijan, with an estimated cost of ₹1,500 crore. A regional office of the Mercantile Marine Department is also under construction in Guwahati.
Efforts to introduce electric catamarans under the ₹315 crore Water Metro project in Guwahati and Dhubri are also progressing. In Dibrugarh, a ₹100 crore cruise terminal and a ₹120 crore Regional Centre of Excellence are being developed to promote tourism and training. Additional works include five riverine lighthouses and the development of a navigable fairway between Pandu and Bogibeel, costing ₹150 crore. Two cutter suction dredgers are also being procured to maintain navigability. The IWAI is currently executing projects worth ₹1,010 crore, including terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa, and a ₹208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu. These interventions aim to reduce the region’s heavy reliance on road transport by improving inland shipping capabilities.
The Centre’s renewed focus on waterway infrastructure reflects a long-term commitment to sustainable transport, economic integration, and regional development across the Northeast.
