Guwahati, Sept 2: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal today announced that Assam is poised to become the next global river cruise destination.

Speaking at the Water Voyage Northeast 2025 conference in Guwahati, the Union Minister placed special emphasis on the Northeast’s role in the maritime roadmap. Over ₹1,000 crore has been invested in inland waterway infrastructure in the region, of which ₹300 crore worth of projects are complete, and the rest are nearing completion.

Sarbananda Sonowal noted that Forbes recently ranked the Ganga river cruise among the world’s top 10, adding that Assam is poised to become the next global river cruise destination.

The minister said under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast is unlocking its immense maritime potential. A ₹239 crore ship repair facility at Pandu — the first of its kind in the region — will be ready by 2026. By September 2025, a ₹180 crore dedicated approach road will directly link NH-27 to Pandu Port. To boost cruise tourism, we are investing ₹299 crore in new tourist jetties at Guijan, Neamati, Bishwanath Ghat and Silghat. At Dibrugarh, a ₹188 crore Regional Centre of Excellence is being developed to train 5,000 maritime professionals, empowering our youth to lead India’s maritime growth story.”

“The Brahmaputra is not just a river, it is our lifeline. By developing modern cruise terminals, ship repair facilities, and skill centres, we are unlocking the full potential of this mighty river,” Sonowal said.

The Cruise Bharat Mission, launched in 2024, aims to develop 100 river cruise terminals, 10 sea cruise terminals, and five marinas, while doubling passenger numbers by 2029. Today, 25 river cruise vessels are operational on national waterways, including 14 on the Brahmaputra alone.

The Minister also revealed a major development for the Northeast: two luxury cruise ships are being built at a combined investment of ₹250 crore for deployment on the Brahmaputra River. These ships, currently under construction at Hooghly Cochin Shipyard in Howrah, Kolkata, will be launched in 2027, providing a new dimension to Assam’s river tourism under the Cruise Bharat Mission.

Also Read: Assam: GMCH suspends doctors and staff after the death of an infant

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