The long-anticipated Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) is now slated for full operationalisation by 2027, a landmark development poised to dramatically enhance connectivity and trade for India’s landlocked Northeast region. This significant announcement was made by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways during a press conference in Guwahati on Monday, as part of a comprehensive ₹5,000 crore investment blueprint for transforming the region’s waterways and maritime ecosystem. The project is expected to create new trade arteries, reduce logistical costs, and profoundly reshape the economic landscape of Northeast India, aligning with the nation’s broader ‘Act East’ policy.
The Union Minister detailed a sweeping array of initiatives designed to revitalise the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, positioning them as pivotal engines of regional growth. These include robust youth skilling programmes, the expansion of cruise tourism, the establishment of crucial inland waterway cargo terminals, and the introduction of modern urban Water Metro projects. This multi-faceted approach underscores a commitment to fostering sustainable development and equitable access to economic opportunities across the diverse communities of the Northeast, ensuring that economic benefits are broadly distributed and inclusive.
A key component of this transformative agenda is a concerted drive towards human capital development. The government has set an ambitious target of training 50,000 young individuals from the Northeast in world-class maritime skills over the forthcoming decade. To achieve this, a Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati is set to be fully operationalised, complemented by a new ₹200 crore Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh. These dedicated centres are projected to collectively generate approximately 500 direct employment opportunities annually, strategically addressing regional unemployment and providing a consistent pipeline of skilled professionals for India’s burgeoning maritime sector. This initiative prioritises gender-neutral participation and aims to empower local communities through enhanced employability.
Over the past two years, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has demonstrably invested ₹1,000 crore in inland waterway projects across the region. Of this substantial sum, works valued at ₹300 crore have already been completed, with the remaining ₹700 crore worth of projects scheduled for completion by 2025. Further enhancing navigability and cargo capacity, 10 state-of-the-art dredgers, representing an investment of ₹610 crore, will be deployed to ensure year-round navigability of key waterways. Additionally, a fleet of 100 modern barges, operated by the renowned German logistics giant Rhenus, will commence operations on National Waterways 2 and 16 by 2025, signifying a significant upgrade in regional logistics capabilities and promoting greener, more efficient cargo transport.
The confirmation of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project’s full operationalisation by 2027 is a significant milestone. This critical corridor, born out of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty, provides a direct maritime and road access route from Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Zorinpui in Mizoram. Crucially, this strategic alternative bypasses the narrow and often congested Siliguri Corridor, colloquially known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ thus creating entirely new regional trade arteries and drastically reducing logistical bottlenecks and transit times. This development is not merely an infrastructure project but a profound geopolitical and economic enabler, poised to unlock new trade opportunities for Northeast India, as well as for neighbouring Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, by forging robust links with Southeast Asia.
Beyond core trade infrastructure, the Ministry is also heavily investing in initiatives to bolster regional tourism and modern urban mobility. A dedicated ₹300 crore has been earmarked for the development of new cargo and tourism jetties at key locations including Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan. These facilities will serve as vital nodes for both commercial activity and a burgeoning river cruise tourism sector, with specific projects already underway in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh. Furthermore, new lighthouses equipped with Integrated Meteorological Department (IMD) weather centres are planned for Pandu, Tezpur, Biswanath, and Bogibeel, enhancing safety for navigation and providing crucial weather information for mariners and local communities alike, contributing to a more resilient and adaptable regional infrastructure.
The strategic push into water-based urban transport is also gaining momentum, with Water Metro projects planned for Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh following successful feasibility studies. These projects are designed to offer eco-friendly and efficient urban transit solutions, alleviating road congestion and promoting a sustainable mode of public transport within these rapidly growing cities. The overarching vision extends to integrating these waterways with broader economic initiatives, fostering a seamless movement of goods and people that leverages the natural geographical advantages of the Northeast. This holistic approach ensures that the development of waterways contributes not just to trade, but also to improved quality of life for residents and reduced carbon footprints in urban areas.
This comprehensive investment and strategic infrastructure development, particularly the impending operationalisation of the Kaladan Project, underscore the Union Government’s unwavering commitment to transforming Northeast India into a vibrant hub of waterways-based trade, tourism, and employment. This ambitious undertaking is firmly aligned with the broader national agenda of inclusive development, demonstrating a profound recognition of the region’s pivotal role in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and its aspirations for greater economic integration with Southeast Asia. The focus on sustainable practices, employment generation, and enhanced connectivity promises a brighter, more prosperous, and environmentally conscious future for the Northeast.
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