Bongaigaon (Assam), [India]: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighted the transformative role of inland waterways in India’s logistics sector, advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.”Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, waterways transportation has undergone a tremendous transformation, propelling India’s logistics growth and bringing us closer to PM Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Sonowal said.
Jogighopa Inland Waterways Terminal Inaugurated
On Tuesday, Sonowal inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa in Assam’s Bongaigaon district. Marking the occasion, a ship carrying two barges—MV Trishul, along with Barges Ajay & Dikshu—was flagged off with 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips destined for Bangladesh.
The terminal, strategically located 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from the Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati, is expected to boost bilateral trade ties with Bangladesh and Bhutan. Recognized as one of the designated Ports of Call under the PIWT&T agreement between India and Bangladesh, the terminal is projected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027.
Strengthening Regional Connectivity & Trade
Speaking at the inauguration, Sonowal described the terminal as a game-changer for connectivity and regional trade.
“The IWT terminal at Jogighopa is set to transform connectivity in the region and bolster our trilateral trade with Bhutan and Bangladesh. Its strategic position allows it to play the role of an economic multiplier for the region, a testament to PM Narendra Modi’s doctrine of ‘Neighbourhood First’,” Sonowal said.
India is actively working on regional projects and agreements with neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, to establish itself as a crucial waterway gateway for regional trade and seamless transport connectivity.
Infrastructure & Investment in Inland Waterways
Built at a cost of over ₹82 crore, the Jogighopa terminal features:
- An RCC jetty with an Electric Level Luffing (ELL) crane for cargo handling
- Administrative, customs, and immigration office buildings
- A truck parking area
- 1,100 sq m of covered storage with power backup
- 11,000 sq m of open storage
Highlighting the role of inland waterways in India’s logistics growth, Sonowal stated, “Leveraging our extensive river network can create a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient mode of transportation for goods. Under PM Modi’s leadership, transformative legislations like the National Waterways Act (2016) and the Inland Vessels Act (2021) have been enacted to empower the inland waterways ecosystem.”
North-East Waterway Development & Economic Growth
Several key projects are underway to enhance North-Eastern waterways, including:
- Comprehensive development of National Waterway-2 (NW-2)
- Ship repair facility at Pandu
- Development of Bogibeel Terminal
- Last-mile connectivity to Pandu
The Jogighopa IWT Terminal is expected to play a crucial role in Assam’s and Northeast India’s economic growth.
“The Northeast has transformed into a growth multiplier under PM Modi’s leadership, with Assam leading this transformation. Inland waterways, as part of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, will contribute significantly to India’s economic progress and our goal of becoming an Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047,” Sonowal added.
Exponential Growth in Inland Waterways
India’s Inland Waterways sector has seen significant expansion over the past decade:
- A 767% increase in operational national waterways
- A 727% rise in cargo volume
- A 62% growth in multimodal terminals
- An 860% increase in budget allocation for inland waterways
Cargo traffic on national waterways has surged from 18 million tonnes a decade ago to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, growing at a CAGR of over 22%.
Boost to Cruise Tourism & ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’
Inland waterways also play a key role in boosting tourism. The MV Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest river cruise, showcased India’s potential in cruise tourism, traveling through 27 river systems, 5 states, and 2 countries.
India has seen significant growth in river cruise tourism, with the number of cruise vessels rising from 3 in 2013-14 to 25 in 2023-24.
To further develop the sector, the government launched the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’, which aims to:
- Establish 10 sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and 5 marinas over the next five years
- Double cruise calls and passengers
- Strengthen regional cruise alliances
Additionally, a world-class river cruise terminal is being developed in Guwahati, along with four dedicated river cruise terminals at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan.
Future Roadmap & Urban Water Transport Expansion
The government is also investing in urban water transport, with plans to develop water metro projects across 18 cities in 12 states, including Guwahati, following the successful Kochi Water Metro model.
Sonowal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening inland waterways as a sustainable, efficient transportation mode and a catalyst for India’s economic growth.