The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa, Assam, marking a major step in enhancing India’s regional connectivity through inland waterways. The first shipment from the terminal, consisting of 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips, was dispatched to Bangladesh via the vessels MV Padma Navigation-II and MV Trishul, accompanied by barges Ajay and Dikshu.
Key Highlights
Strategic Importance & Cost:
- The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has assigned the construction of the terminal to National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
- The total project cost is ₹82.03 crore.
- The terminal is a key component of the India-Bangladesh Economic Corridor under the Bharat Mala Program, linked to the DALU-TURA-GOALPARA-GELEPHU multimodal trade route.
Geopolitical & Trade Connectivity:
Location Advantages:
- 91 km from Gelephu, Bhutan (Gelephu Mindfulness City)
- 108 km from the Bangladesh border
- 147 km from Guwahati
This terminal is one of the designated Ports of Call under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route (IBPR) as part of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) agreement. By 2027, the terminal is projected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Infrastructure & Facilities:
The terminal includes:
- RCC jetty with Electric Level Luffing (ELL) cranes for cargo handling.
- Administrative, customs, and immigration offices.
- 1,100 sqm of covered storage with power backup and 11,000 sqm of open storage.
- Truck parking facilities for efficient cargo movement.
Boosting India’s Trade & ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy:
- Enhances India’s trilateral trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
- Aligns with PM Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, positioning India as a regional waterway hub.
- Strengthens India’s economic integration with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
- Supports the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to boost trade and logistics infrastructure for economic growth.
About Inland Waterways & Their Economic Impact
- Inland waterways are navigable channels used for transporting goods, materials, or passengers via rivers, lakes, canals, and backwaters.
- Government Initiatives:
- National Waterways Act, 2016 – Strengthened the development of India’s river-based transport network.
- Inland Vessels Act, 2021 – Modernized regulations for cargo and passenger movement on inland waterways.
- Sector Growth:
- Operational national waterways increased by 767% in the past decade.
- Cargo volume rose by 727%, reaching 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24 (from 18 million tonnes a decade ago).
- Multimodal terminals surged by 62%, facilitating better connectivity.
- Budget allocation increased by 860%, underscoring government commitment.
- CAGR of over 22% in cargo traffic reflects the immense potential of inland waterways in reducing logistics costs and boosting trade.
Significance
- The Jogighopa terminal will serve as an economic multiplier for the Northeast, enhancing trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
- The Brahmaputra River (National Waterway 2) will play a crucial role in India’s inland waterway expansion.
- The inland waterways sector is expected to be a key driver for India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- With improved regional connectivity, multimodal transport infrastructure, and government support, India is on track to emerge as a major hub for inland waterway trade in South Asia.