The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), in its 198th board meeting in Delhi, approved a suite of infrastructure projects designed to elevate inland water transport (IWT) across the North Eastern Region (NER) and Bihar. IWAI sanctioned four new tourist-cum-cargo jetties in Assam—Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Guijan, and Neamati—aimed at seamlessly integrating the NER into national transport and tourism circuits.
In tandem, plans for five riverine lighthouses in Assam, accompanied by dredging deepenings along the Brahmaputra between Pandu and Bogibeel, will help modernise navigation and safety along National Waterway 2. Recognising the urgent need for skilled manpower, IWAI approved establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence at Bogibeel, Dibrugarh. This facility, capable of training over 5,300 professionals, is aligned with the Inland Vessels Act, 2021—highlighting the sector’s growing sophistication . Guwahati’s Fancy Bazar region will host a new IWAI regional office and Maritime Skill Development Centre, consolidating administrative oversight and training under one roof.
The conversion of 2,154 sq m of prime real estate into a multi-storey hub demonstrates a proactive approach to workforce upliftment in riverine safety, operations and logistics. Further extending the inland waterways ecosystem, IWAI has commissioned a Detailed Project Report for a ship-repair facility on National Waterway 1 at Patna. Developed by IIT Madras, this facility is expected to bolster logistics efficiency along the Ganga and support the Ministry’s broader elevation of IWT. A “port gate system” at Balagarh, West Bengal, also secured approval, while IWAI will spearhead the formation of an Indian Waterways Congress to steer innovation, standardisation and cross-sector collaboration.
At the same time, a cadre restructuring initiative, based on National Institute of Smart Government recommendations, is set to turbocharge internal capacity. These initiatives form part of a ₹5,000–₹6,000 crore investment plan for the Northeast’s waterways ecosystem, including ₹1,000 crore announced in May 2025 covering terminals, dredging, skill centres and Electric Water Metro projects. By shifting freight from congested roads to greener waterways, India aims to reduce its carbon footprint and support sustainable urban growth. Assam’s electric catamarans and cruise terminals further reflect this push towards green urban mobility .
Training hubs in Dibrugarh and Guwahati will generate skilled jobs for local youth, and by deliberately targeting gender inclusion, IWAI can advance programmes that equip women and marginalised communities with pathways into maritime careers—helping dismantle traditional labour barriers. The Patna shipyard will catalyse regional industrial activity, supporting repair, maintenance and local shipbuilding on National Waterway 1—reinforcing Bihar’s role in the Ganga corridor, connecting it to Kolkata, Varanasi and beyond. Bottlenecks remain. Agencies must coordinate on land acquisition for jetties, integrate river infrastructure into local transport, and finalise environmental and community consultations. Maintaining navigable drafts, training skilled crew, and ensuring regular upkeep of river cruisers and lights are critical to sustaining momentum.
Despite these hurdles, IWAI’s multi-pronged strategy—investing in infrastructure, regulation, networking and skills—is shaping a more balanced, climate-friendly alternative to road and rail transport. In doing so, it positions inland waterways as drivers of equitable regional prosperity and green connectivity across India’s heartland and its frontier regions.
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