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The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced in Parliament that the Ministry is investing ?1,010 crore for the comprehensive development of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers in Assam. This initiative aims to enhance the regions inland waterways infrastructure, including improvements for cargo and passenger movement, as well as river tourism.
Sonowal also highlighted the approval of a new slipway in Majuli, valued at ?96.60 crore, under the Sagarmala scheme, with in-principle approval already conveyed by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
In response to a question from Gaurav Gogoi, MP from Jorhat, the Minister provided further details on the ongoing infrastructure projects on Brahmaputra (National Waterway 2). These include the construction of 12 floating terminals, two multimodal terminals at Pandu and Jogighopa, and two permanent terminals at Bogibeel and Dhubri. Additionally, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is maintaining the required depth for smooth cruise vessel operations along the fairway.
Sonowal also announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a "Riverine Based Religious Tourism Circuit" project aimed at connecting significant religious sites via waterways. This initiative will deploy vessels on a "Hop On & Hop Off" basis to connect Kamakhya Temple, Pandunath Temple, Ashwaklanta Temple, Doul Govinda Temple, Umananda Temple, Chakreshwar Temple, and Auniati Satra.
The ?1,010 crore investment will fund key projects, including the Comprehensive Development of NW2, with ?474 crore allocated and 79.87% physical progress achieved. Other projects include the development of Pandu Ports approach road and a ship repair facility, with ?388 crore allocated, and the development of Barak River and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) with ?148 crore. Six tourist jetties, including floating jetties at Bogibeel and Pandu, are also under development, with the latter nearly 85% complete.
Additionally, the construction of slipways in Dhubri and Majuli is ongoing, while other proposed passenger terminals at various locations across Assam are at different stages of execution.
Sonowal also responded to Pradyut Bordoloi, MP from Nagaon, regarding the maintenance of safe vessel navigation. He confirmed that a fairway with a depth of 2 to 2.5 meters and a width of 35 to 45 meters is being maintained. Maintenance dredging is carried out wherever necessary based on hydrographic surveys, ensuring safe and efficient movement of vessels. |
