Guwahati, Feb 18: In a significant boost to India’s inland waterways infrastructure, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Jogighopa Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) in Assam today, marking a milestone in regional trade and connectivity. The terminal, built at a cost of over ₹82 crores, is poised to revolutionize cargo movement between India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, reducing logistical costs and enhancing economic growth.

To mark the occasion, the MV Trishul, along with barges Ajay and Dikshu, was flagged off with 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips bound for Bangladesh, underlining the terminal’s operational readiness. The Jogighopa IWT Terminal, strategically located 91 km from Bhutan, 108 km from Bangladesh, and 147 km from Guwahati, is expected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027, making it a critical hub for trade in the region.

A Vision for Enhanced Regional Connectivity

Speaking at the event, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the terminal’s role in boosting India’s trilateral trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. “With the development of this inland waterways terminal, we are unlocking the potential of our river systems to create a cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable mode of cargo transport,” Sonowal said.

The Jogighopa terminal is a declared Port of Call under the India-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T). It also links to the Bharatmala Project’s Dalu-Tura-Goalpara-Gelephu multimodal trade route, strengthening cross-border trade. Notably, Gelephu in Bhutan, located just 91 km from Jogighopa, is being developed into a modern “Mindfulness City,” which could further boost trade potential.

Infrastructure and Future Prospects

Equipped with a state-of-the-art RCC jetty, electric level luffing cranes, customs and immigration offices, a 1,100 sqm covered storage area, and truck parking facilities, the Jogighopa terminal is designed for seamless cargo handling. Plans are also in place for a broad-gauge railway siding, connecting the terminal to the upcoming Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jogighopa.

The primary commodities expected to be handled include food grains, fertilizers, coal, petroleum products, fly ash, and stone chips. The terminal’s connectivity to Kolkata and Haldia via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) further strengthens its position as a key transit hub.

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