Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for inland waterways projects worth ₹526 crore in Assam aimed at improving logistics, connectivity, tourism, and skill development along the Brahmaputra River.
The projects are being implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, focusing on strengthening infrastructure on National Waterway 2.
Key Projects Launched
| Project | Location | Investment |
| Elevated Road Corridor | Pandu Port – NH-27 | ₹180 crore |
| Cruise Terminals | Biswanath Ghat & Neamati Ghat | ₹158 crore |
| Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) | Bogibeel, Dibrugarh | ₹188 crore |
| Total Investment | — | ₹526 crore |
1. Elevated Road Corridor – Pandu Port to NH-27
The Prime Minister inaugurated a ₹180-crore elevated road corridor connecting Pandu Port with National Highway 27.
Objective
- Address the last-mile connectivity gap between river transport and road networks.
- Improve cargo movement to and from the port.
Benefits
- Bypasses urban congestion in Guwahati
- Reduces logistics costs for businesses
- Strengthens multimodal transport connectivity
2. Cruise Terminals to Promote River Tourism
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for cruise terminals at:
- Biswanath Ghat
- Neamati Ghat
Investment: ₹158 crore (combined)
Purpose
- Promote river cruise tourism along the Brahmaputra.
- Create economic opportunities for local communities.
Expected Benefits
- Boost tourism sector
- Generate employment in:
- handicrafts
- hospitality
- small businesses
- local trade
Tourism is expected to become a new engine of economic growth in Assam.
3. Maritime Training Hub in Northeast India
A Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) is being developed at Bogibeel.
Investment: ₹188 crore
Significance
- First maritime skill development hub in Northeast India.
Key Functions
The centre will train over 5,000 students annually in:
| Training Area | Description |
| Inland navigation | River vessel navigation |
| Vessel operations | Ship handling and safety |
| Maritime logistics | Cargo and port operations |
It will also support research and workforce development for inland waterways.
Boost to Northeast Connectivity
The projects strengthen infrastructure in the Northeast region, often referred to as “Ashtalakshmi”, highlighting its economic potential.
Expected Impact
| Sector | Benefit |
| Trade | Reduced transportation costs |
| Tourism | Growth of cruise tourism |
| Employment | New jobs in logistics and tourism |
| Connectivity | Improved multimodal transport |
Inland waterways are also considered a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport mode.
Additional Announcements During Event
Land Deeds for Tea Workers
The Prime Minister distributed land deeds to about 28,000 tea garden workers living in labour lines across Assam.
- First initiative of its kind in the 200-year history of Assam’s tea industry.
PM-KISAN Scheme Payment
The Prime Minister also released the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
Key Figures
| Indicator | Value |
| Amount transferred | ₹18,640 crore |
| Beneficiary farmers | 9.32 crore |
| Farmers in Assam | ~19 lakh |
Policy and Strategic Context
These projects align with several national initiatives:
| Initiative | Objective |
| National Waterways Act 2016 | Expansion of inland waterways |
| Jal Marg Vikas Project | Improve navigation infrastructure |
| Act East Policy | Strengthen Northeast connectivity and trade with Southeast Asia |
The Northeast region serves as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy.
Significance
- Strengthens inland water transport along the Brahmaputra.
- Improves multimodal logistics connectivity in Northeast India.
- Promotes river cruise tourism and local economic growth.
- Develops maritime skills and workforce capacity in the region.
- Supports sustainable and cost-effective transport infrastructure.