The central government will invest an additional Rs 10 billion in inland waterways projects in Assam and the Northeast in 2026, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday.
During a review meeting with senior officials from the ministry, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Public Works Department (PWD), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL), the minister assessed the progress of ongoing projects across the region.
Sonowal noted that over the past two years, the government has undertaken Rs 10 billion worth of projects, of which Rs 3 billion have been completed and Rs 7 billion are on track for completion by 2025.
He directed authorities to focus on developing advanced maritime skills among local youth to meet the growing demands of the inland water transport (IWT) sector.
The government is advancing major infrastructure initiatives along National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) and National Waterway 16 (Barak), including the construction of passenger vessels, terminals, and training facilities.
The minister also reviewed the proposed IWT project at Doyang Lake and evaluated the potential of Noune and Shilloi lakes in Nagaland for tourism and water sports.
Feasibility studies are under way for IWT routes on the Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers in Mizoram, as well as on Umiam Lake and the Ummgot River (NW106) in Meghalaya.
Reaffirming the Centre鈥檚 commitment to transforming the region into a maritime hub, Sonowal highlighted progress on Barak River projects, including dredging work and floating terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur.
