Centre Accelerates Modernisation of Inland Water Transport in North-East; Major Upgrades Underway on Brahmaputra & Barak Waterways
On National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra River), comprehensive development works worth Rs 498 crore have been carried out between 2020–21 and 2024–25. The projects include new terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa, tourist jetties at Bogibeel and Pandu, continuous fairway development, and installation of navigational aids. A ship repair facility at Pandu and an elevated road linking NH-27 with Pandu Port are also being developed at a cost of Rs 419 crore.
On National Waterway-16 (Barak River), the government has invested Rs 134.72 crore since 2020–21 to upgrade terminals at Badarpur and Karimganj, improve fairways, enhance navigation systems, and procure amphibian dredgers.
National Waterway-57 (Kopili River) has been operationalised with the movement of a 300-tonne cement consignment from Chandrapur to Hatsingimari, marking a key step in boosting cargo movement in the region.
Under Central Sector Schemes, several projects have been sanctioned for fairway development, terminal upgrades, and procurement of small passenger vessels across the North-Eastern states.
To promote river-cruise tourism, the Inland Waterways Authority of India is developing dedicated cruise terminals on NW-2 at locations including Guwahati, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat, and Guijan. A special purpose vehicle formed by Sagarmala Finance Corporation, IWAI, and the Assam government is also developing a religious tourism circuit connecting seven major temples—Lachit Ghat, Aswanta Temple Ghat, Doul Govinda Mandir Ghat, Hanuman Mandir Ghat, Uzan Bazar, Umananda Ghat, Pandunath Ghat, and Kamakhya Temple—under a hop-on hop-off model.
These initiatives aim to boost regional connectivity, support trade and tourism, and unlock the North-East’s potential as a major inland waterways logistics hub.
Published on:
18 December 2025
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