2nd IWDC Meet: Projects Worth Over Rs. 1400 Crore Announced To Boost Waterways Transport

Guwahati: The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) conducted the second meeting on Thursday in Kaziranga. As per reports, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal were present for the formal inauguration of the session scheduled on Friday morning. Investments of more than Rs 50,000 crore have been announced in the next five years for the development of waterways. Several representatives from various states attended the meeting, which focussed on the development of river and inland waterways transport across the country.

A series of new initiatives across 21 Inland Waterways states, including Assam, were also announced at the event held in Kaziranga. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the meeting and its outcome, along with the new projects, would help revitalise Assam’s waterways to drive economic growth in the Northeast and beyond. 

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at the at the 2nd meeting of the
Inland Waterways Development Council  (Image- X)

The Inland Water Transport projects worth Rs. 1405.26 crore include - an overhaul of Heritage Building in Dibrugarh, development of tourist jetties at Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, Silghat and Guijan, Regional Centre of Excellence (RcoE) in Dibrugarh, link road between Pandu Ship Repair Facility to Pandu Port, design, construction, supply, testing and commissioning of 12 vessels, and one survey vessel for NW-16 for Barak valley region.

The Assam CM also extended his gratitude to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for giving Assam an opportunity to host the meeting. He said that the move aligns with the Centre’s Act East Policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's keen interests in the development of Northeastern states. 

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He encouraged travelling by waterways as it provides an opportunity to experience the true beauty of nature while emphasising that corresponding to India's commitment towards climate change initiatives and cutting down carbon emissions to zero, waterways transportation needs to be promoted. Moreover, he said that if 30 per cent of the total volume of transport can be shifted to waterways, India can reduce the impact of climate change. 

Union Minister of State for Ports Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur and ministers and seniors from 19 states and union territories also attended the meeting.