North-East India’s Waterway Renaissance: New Arteries of Trade, Tourism, and Connectivity

Dibrugarh, Dec 15: The Northeastern region of India is undergoing a transformative journey, with its waterways poised to become vibrant arteries of trade, connectivity, and tourism.

Highlighting the achievements of his ministry across the country, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said key infrastructural projects such as the Jogighopa multi-modal terminal, Bogibeel passenger cum cargo terminal, Pandu Ship Repair Facility, and the up-gradation of Karimganj and Badarpur terminals in the Northeast are set to bolster both passenger and cargo movement.

“The development of Sonamura terminal and assured depth dredging contracts further emphasize the government’s commitment to enhancing the connectivity of north-eastern states with the rest of the country and neighbouring nations” he said.

Since 2014, the government has embarked on a mission to rejuvenate this sector. Back then, India had only five National Waterways. This number has surged through concerted efforts to 111, marking a monumental shift in the nation’s approach to water-based transport. The financial commitment has been equally significant, with over ₹6,000 crore invested in the past decade alone—a stark contrast to the mere ₹1,620 crore invested in the 28 years from 1986, when IWAI was established, to 2014.

He remarked, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the rich interweb of waterways has been rejuvenated since 2014. Until then, our country had only 5 National Waterways. However, with the concerted effort made by the Modi Government, the number of National Waterways has increased to 111. More than ₹6,000 crores have been invested to rejuvenate the inland waterways of the country in the last decade. This is a remarkable step towards realising and revitalising our waterways, considered as the most economical, most environment-friendly, and efficient mode of transportation.”

Under Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the inland waterways sector have witnessed investment of more than ₹ 6,000 crore for the first time ever.

My reply in the #LokSabha. pic.twitter.com/jd8EtieIUD

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) December 13, 2024

The revitalisation has borne measurable results. Cargo movement via inland waterways increased from 18.07 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2013-14 to 132.89 MMT in 2023-24, achieving a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.1%. The government has set ambitious targets—200 MMT of cargo movement by 2030 and a staggering 500 MMT by 2047—aligned with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India).

With a future-oriented strategy, significant investments, and a clear vision, India’s inland waterways are poised to emerge as a vital pillar of the country’s transport infrastructure. The focus is not only on cargo movement but also on passenger connectivity and eco-tourism, transforming waterways into bustling hubs of economic and social activity.

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