HomeLatestNew Delhi Government Plans Rs 5 000 Crore Investment in Northeast Waterways

New Delhi Government Plans Rs 5 000 Crore Investment in Northeast Waterways

The Union Government is poised to inject a substantial ₹5,000 crore into the comprehensive development of the Northeast’s inland waterways and maritime sector, a pivotal initiative designed to unlock the region’s immense economic potential. This ambitious investment, announced by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, signifies a strategic shift towards leveraging the vast riverine network of the Northeast for enhanced trade, tourism, and sustainable growth. The initiative is set to revolutionise logistics, create significant employment opportunities, and integrate the region more deeply into both national and international trade routes, aligning with the broader vision of equitable development.

This significant financial commitment builds upon recent achievements in India’s maritime domain, where major ports have nearly doubled their operational capacity. Notably, nine Indian ports have now secured positions within the World Bank’s prestigious top 100, with Visakhapatnam Port achieving an impressive ranking within the top 20 globally. These successes, driven by crucial legislative and digital reforms, coupled with a concerted push towards green shipping initiatives and a burgeoning cruise tourism sector, underscore India’s growing competitiveness on the global maritime stage. The Northeast’s waterways development is poised to extend this momentum inland, creating a resilient and interconnected transport ecosystem.

A cornerstone of this transformative vision is a comprehensive skill development programme, aiming to train 50,000 young individuals from the Northeast in world-class maritime skills over the next decade. This ambitious target is supported by assured employment opportunities within the burgeoning sector. Central to this human capital development are the existing Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati and the forthcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh, which will benefit from a substantial investment of ₹200 crore. These centres are projected to collectively generate approximately 500 jobs annually, fostering a skilled workforce that can sustainably support the region’s burgeoning maritime economy and promote gender-neutral employment avenues.

Infrastructure development remains a critical pillar of this expansive plan. Over the past two years, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) has initiated projects valued at ₹1,000 crore within the Northeast’s inland waterways sector. Of this, ₹300 crore worth of work has already been completed, with an additional ₹700 crore earmarked for completion by 2025. Key initiatives include the establishment of permanent cargo terminals at strategic locations such as Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj, and Badarpur. Furthermore, consistent year-round fairway dredging, the construction of a new approach road to Pandu Port, heritage restoration efforts in Dibrugarh, and the development of new tourist jetties worth ₹299 crore are set to enhance navigability and accessibility, boosting trade and tourism. Plans are also underway for the installation of lighthouses at critical points like Bogibeel, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat, and Pandu, enhancing safety for night navigation and overall riverine transport efficiency.

Feasibility studies for cruise vessel operations in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh have been successfully concluded, confirming their commercial viability. This has paved the way for the procurement of cruise vessels under central schemes, promising to unlock new avenues for water-based tourism and regional exploration. Efforts are concurrently underway to expand Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure and actively promote water-based tourism in states such as Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, integrating these often-isolated regions into the wider economic framework and fostering eco-friendly tourism practices.

A significant geopolitical and economic catalyst for the Northeast is the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP). This strategic initiative, a direct outcome of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty, is confirmed to be fully operational by 2027. The KMTTP connects Sittwe port in Myanmar to Paletwa via an inland waterway, and then extends to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component. An alternative route connecting Sittwe to Sabroom, Tripura, via Bangladesh’s Teknaf Port, is also in the pipeline. This multi-modal corridor promises substantial reductions in transportation time and logistics costs for the Northeast, offering a vital alternative to the narrow Siliguri Corridor and significantly enhancing regional trade linkages with Southeast Asia.

To further augment cargo movement and enhance local connectivity, a fleet of 100 barges, operated by German global logistics major Rhenus, will be deployed on National Waterway 2 and 16 by 2025. Complementing this, the Ministry plans a ₹610 crore investment for the deployment of 10 amphibian and cutter suction dredgers to ensure perennial navigability of the waterways. Additionally, plans are in motion to develop 85 community jetties across the Northeast, significantly improving local access and connectivity for communities residing along the riverbanks, fostering economic participation at the grassroots level.

Beyond trade, these projects aim to catalyse tourism and modern urban transport. A sum of ₹300 crore is earmarked for new tourism and cargo jetties at Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan, which are poised to become hubs for riverine tourism and local commerce. Furthermore, Water Metro projects are planned for Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh, with feasibility studies already completed, promising a contemporary and sustainable urban transport solution. The establishment of lighthouses at Pandu, Tezpur, Biswanath, and Bogibeel, equipped with IMD centres for accurate local weather forecasts, will enhance navigation safety and efficiency, aligning with the broader objective of developing smart, resilient cities that embrace sustainable mobility solutions for all citizens.

Also Read :Adani Ports Develops 1.1 km Steel Slag Road at Hazira for Sustainability

New Delhi Government Plans Rs 5 000 Crore Investment in Northeast Waterways
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