Guwahati (Assam) [India]: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced an allocation of ₹1,500 crore for transitioning to Green Vessels by 2030 under the ‘Harit Nauka’ scheme. The announcement was made at the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit in Guwahati, organized by the Assam government.
Additionally, Sonowal unveiled ₹4,800 crore worth of investments to transform Assam’s inland waterways sector, enhancing cruise tourism, cargo handling, and overall connectivity.
Key Infrastructure Developments
- ₹1,500 crore allocated to boost cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity in NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak) by 2027-28.
- Construction of jetties with onshore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, and Guijan.
- New buildings for Regional Office, MSDC, Guest House, and ITAT Office at Fancy Bazar, Guwahati.
- ₹375 crore earmarked for Phase II of the Ship Repair Facility at Pandu.
- ₹191 crore allocated to ensure a 2.5-meter assured draft from Bangladesh Border to Pandu (NW2) by 2026-27, executed by Dredging Corporation of India (DCI).
- ₹315 crore investment announced for Water Metro Services in Guwahati and Dhubri, modeled after the Kochi Water Metro.
- ₹100 crore allocated for a world-class cruise terminal in Guwahati.
- ₹120 crore set aside for the development of a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE) in Dibrugarh.
- ₹150 crore allocated for fairway development with LAD (Least Available Depth) of 2.5 meters between Pandu and Bogibeel.
Boosting Green and Sustainable Transportation
Sonowal highlighted that inland waterways are globally recognized as a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly mode of transport. He emphasized that initiatives like ‘Jalvahak’ are incentivizing businesses to switch to inland waterways, reducing congestion on roads and railways.
The minister also announced:
- Deployment of two Electric Catamarans built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
- Construction of Riverine Lighthouses at Bogibeel, Biswanath, Nimati, Pandu, and Silghat with a budget of ₹100 crore.
- Purchase of two Cutter Section Dredger units for the Brahmaputra (NW2) to improve navigability.
Sonowal reiterated that these initiatives align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making Assam a trade and commerce hub, contributing to India’s goal of becoming an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) economy by 2047.