Guwahati, May 20: In a significant move to enhance inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and has approved several key projects during its 197th Board Meeting held recently.

These initiatives aim to bolster connectivity and economic development, particularly in the Northeast region.

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of a comprehensive development plan for National Waterway-2 (NW-2), which encompasses the 891 km stretch of the Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to the Bangladesh border. The three-year plan includes fairway development, terminal infrastructure, navigation aids, green energy initiatives, skill development centres, vessel operations, maintenance, and dry docking facilities. These efforts are expected to significantly enhance IWT in Assam and the broader Northeastern Region.

The Board also cleared a proposal to construct a link road connecting the upcoming Ship Repair Facility to the Pandu Terminal on NW-2 in Assam. This infrastructure is anticipated to facilitate the movement of heavy machinery and vehicles during the operational phase of the facility and provide seamless connectivity from Pandu Port to National Highway 27 via a dedicated road currently under construction.

An important amendment to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (Classification of National Waterways) Regulations, 2022, was approved. The amendment rationalises the distance between the navigation channel and the outer edge of a jetty, aiming to improve navigational safety and efficiency.

In collaboration with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras, IWAI has initiated the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for extending National Waterway-64 (River Mahanadi) from the Sambalpur barrage in Odisha to Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh. The DPR will assess the feasibility of this extension and explore the potential for establishing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities in Hirakud, as requested by the Odisha state government.

The Board approved a proposal for the creation of new posts within IWAI, based on a report on organizational restructuring by the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG). Additionally, the Board was apprised of IWT promotion initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, which include the development of river navigation infrastructure on three national waterways: NW-84, NW-49, and NW-26.

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