In a major push to boost inland waterways and maritime infrastructure in India’s Northeast, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday announced a slew of initiatives with an investment outlay of ₹5,000 crore. The projects aim to transform the region’s connectivity, trade, tourism, and employment landscape over the next few years.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Sonowal said the Modi government has drawn up comprehensive plans to develop year-round navigable waterways, modern terminals, community jetties, urban water metros, and maritime skill hubs across the region.
Empowering Northeast Youth
A key highlight of the plan is the training of 50,000 youth from the Northeast in maritime skills over the next decade. The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati and a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh will spearhead this effort, with an investment of ₹200 crore earmarked for the CoE alone. Together, these centres are expected to generate at least 500 jobs annually.
“Prime Minister Modi has always envisioned how Yuva Shakti can bring real transformation to the country. Our vision is to train, enable and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills, ensuring meaningful employment and growth,” Sonowal said.
Strengthening Connectivity and Trade
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has undertaken projects worth ₹1,000 crore in the region’s inland waterways sector in the past two years. Of this, ₹300 crore worth of works have been completed, with the remaining ₹700 crore scheduled for completion by 2025.
Major initiatives include setting up permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj, and Badarpur; new approach roads to Pandu Port; heritage restoration works in Dibrugarh; and the development of tourist jetties worth ₹299 crore.
Additionally, 85 community jetties will be built across the Northeast to boost local trade and connectivity. To ensure uninterrupted navigation on major river routes, the government will deploy 10 amphibian and cutter section dredgers at an investment of ₹610 crore.
A fleet of 100 modern barges operated by German logistics major Rhenus is also expected to become operational on National Waterways 2 and 16 by 2025, significantly enhancing cargo movement across Assam and neighbouring states.
Kaladan Project to be Operational by 2027
Providing an update on the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) — a crucial link connecting India’s Northeast with Myanmar — Sonowal said the project would be fully operational by 2027.
“This strategic initiative, born out of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty, will provide the Northeast with direct and shorter access to international sea routes. It will unlock new trade opportunities for Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, strengthening regional ties with Southeast Asia,” he said.
The Kaladan corridor connects Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Paletwa via an inland waterway, and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram by road. Goods can also move from Kolkata to Sittwe Port and onward to Teknaf Port in Bangladesh, then by road to Sabroom in Tripura, reducing transit times and logistics costs substantially.
Focus on Tourism and Urban Transport
In a bid to boost regional tourism, the government plans to develop tourism and cargo jetties at Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan with an investment of ₹300 crore. Water Metro projects for modern urban transport have also been proposed for Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh, with feasibility studies already completed.
Lighthouses will be installed at Pandu, Tezpur, Biswanath, and Bogibeel, equipped with IMD units to provide local weather forecasts. These will be supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Sonowal said, “These projects reflect our commitment to transform the Northeast into a vibrant hub for waterways-based trade, tourism, and employment. This is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas — ensuring inclusive growth and development for all.”
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