Work started on NW2 and NW6, says Sonowal
Construction of the Pandu Ship repair facility in Guwahati is slated to commence from May 2022, with the aim of completion in two years, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on 29 Dec 2021.
Technical work on the facility is being completed, he said after reviewing the progress on 27 Dec 2021.
The 3.67-acre facility, announced on 26 August 2021, includes a slipway.
This facility is going to be a major contributor to the economic resurgence of the Northeast region, he said.
The design and implementation of this project is being done jointly by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Cochin Shipyard Limited. The technical support is being provided by IIT, Madras.
Sonowal, who met the top officials of IWAI, Cochin Shipyard and IIT Madras, pointed out that the future progress of the Northeast region lies in the development of the waterways.
Work has already started on the National Waterway 2, covering the Brahmaputra, and National Waterway 6, covering the Barak. These waterways will help in facilitating cargo traffic, passenger traffic as well as tourist jetties for economic growth of the region.
In order to achieve a motor able waterway, dredging of both the rivers are to be done at critical junctures so that adequate depth is achieved for cargo ship movement, he stressed.
Sonowal said, “Our rich history economic prosperity can be reinvigorated by developing our rivers as waterways for smooth and swift movement of cargo and passengers. This will not only boost the export sector of the entire northeastern region but will also become a major multiplier in the employment generation in the region.
“All the state governments of Northeast have extended their support in developing these waterways. We, the centre along with the state governments, will work together in a seamless manner so that the people can reap the benefits and prosper.” fiinews.com
