Northeast India's Waterways Get ₹5,000 Crore Boost for Development

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced a ₹5,000 crore investment by the Central government to accelerate the development of inland waterways and maritime infrastructure across Northeast India.

Key initiatives span across states like Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Nagaland, and include year-round dredging operations, construction of new cargo terminals, tourist and community jetties, heritage site restoration, and lighthouse installations. Over ₹1,000 crore worth of projects are already in progress, with ₹300 crore worth completed to date.

To enhance cargo logistics, 100 barges supplied by German firm Rhenus and 10 state-of-the-art dredgers will be deployed along National Waterways 2 and 16. Additionally, ₹300 crore is being allocated to develop tourist and cargo jetties, along with plans to build 85 community jetties across the region.

The strategic Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is nearing completion, significantly improving connectivity between Myanmar and Northeast India. Water Metro projects are also proposed in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh to boost urban mobility through inland waterways.

A major thrust will be placed on maritime skill development, with a plan to train 50,000 youth from the region over the next decade. New training centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will support this initiative, creating an estimated 500 employment opportunities annually. A ₹200 crore Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh will serve as a regional hub for maritime education and skilling.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.