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Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently announced an investment of over ?4,800 crore to develop Assam’s waterways and related infrastructure. Speaking on the second day of the Assam 2.0 Investment Summit, Sonowal emphasized the state’s vast riverine network, including the Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16), as key to driving economic growth. The investment aims to unlock Assam’s inland waterways potential, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision. “With its intricate river system, Assam has the opportunity to revive its historic role as a major trade and commerce hub through inland waterways,” Sonowal said. He highlighted the efficiency and sustainability of waterways as a futuristic transport mode, supporting both cargo and passenger movement. As part of the initiative, the government has allocated ?1,500 crore for transitioning to Green Vessels under the Harit Nauka scheme by 2030. Additionally, over ?1,500 crore has been earmarked to boost cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity on NW2 and NW16 by 2027-28. Sonowal also underscored the Modi government’s efforts, including the Jalvahak scheme, which incentivizes businesses to shift to inland waterways, reducing congestion on rail and road networks while improving economic efficiency. The investment is expected to strengthen Assam’s role in Indias goal of becoming a self-reliant, leading global economy by 2047. |
