Terminal crucial for development of upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland
Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has laid the foundation stone of Rs.46.60 crore Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) terminal to be developed at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, by the bank of the river Brahmaputra (National Waterways 2) in Assam on 4 July 2023.
The tourist-cum-cargo IWT terminal is scheduled for completion by Feb 2024.
Once developed, this terminal is likely to play a pivotal role in rejuvenating inland waterways transportation in the region for both cargo and passenger movement, paving the way for growth of trade and commerce, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways said.
Sonowal said, “It is a momentous day for the people of Assam as we move towards rejuvenating inland waterways transport in the region by further bolstering the capital infrastructure at Bogibeel.
“We must respect and honour the immense potential that ‘Mahabahu Brahmaputra’ possesses, and utilise them in the best possible way to further efficient development and progress without alluding to any ecological or economic cost.
“Given the historic role that Dibrugarh played as the hub of inland waterways in the past, I believe that this modern terminal at Bogibeel will act as a catalyst towards reclaiming the lost glory of Dibrugarh as a major commercial hub & become harbinger of growth for upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in the days to come.”
The executing agency of the terminal is being done by Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Construction Limited.
Some major features include cargo & passenger berths, approach & other internal roads, transit shed, open storage area, truck parking area, passenger waiting area among others.
The terminal development will play a crucial role in the development of upper Assam and nearby states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland in terms of cargo as well as passenger transportation.
It will also lead to increase in eco-tourism, and easing the movement of EXIM cargo with comparatively lower transportation cost vis-a-vis others.
Considering the growing popularity of inland waterways as an economical & efficient mode of transportation, other new industries like food processing, pharmaceuticals, cement etc may come up in the region while further improving the economies of scale for existing major trade like tea, polymer, coal, fertiliser etc.
The modern terminal is also likely to play a crucial role as a harbinger of growth for the tourism sector with major destinations like Sibsagar, Majuli, Itanagar, Ziro Valley, Pasighat, Roing, Tawang valley etc.
IWAI has been making all efforts to maintain the fairway in river Brahmaputra by dredging and other river conservancy works for the development of waterways in the North Eastern Region.
Navigational aids and night navigation system are also provided in the river up to Silghat. Permanent Terminals have been developed at Pandu and Dhubri.
The construction of the Bogibeel IWT, will enhance industrial growth leading to further requirements of transportation needs. It will add to the socio-economic development of not only Assam but the entire North Eastern zone as a whole. Fiinews.com
