IWAI implementing Rs.1,010cr projects on NW2-NW16
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced more than Rs.4,800 crore investment to transform the inland waterways sector of Assam at the Advantage Assam 2.0 in Guwahati on 26 Feb http://shipmin.gov.in.
The investment is to enable the immense potential that the complex and dynamic waterways system of the state has to offer to propel the growth and development of the region, said Sonowal, asserting at the session on Assam’s Roads, Railway and Riverine Tourism on the second day of the investment summit.
Elaborated the Minister, “With its rich inter web of riverine system in the region, especially in Assam with Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16), the inland waterways will rejuvenate the state’s ageless role as the main conduit of trade and commerce.
“Globally considered as futuristic, the inland waterways provide an opportunity to opt for a more economic, efficient and environment friendly mode of transporting cargo and passengers https://www.bseindia.com/.
With the launch of schemes like ‘Jalvahak’, the government has been incentivising the businesses to switch to inland waterways, thereby, improving the economies of scale, decongesting the railways and roadways and enabling a conducive ecosystem that is vital for pivotal role Assam is set to play towards India’s ascendency to become world’s biggest and an Atmanirbhar economy by 2047 https://www.nseindia.com/.”
Sonowal also announced allocation of Rs.1,500 crore for a planned transition into Green Vessels by 2030 under the ‘Harit Nauka’ scheme.
An amount of more than Rs.1,500 crore has been earmarked to facilitate cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity by 2027-28 in NW2 and NW16.
This allocation includes construction of jetties with on shore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath ghat, Neamati Ghat and Guijan along with construction of a new building for Regional Office, MSDC, Guest house and office space for ITAT at Fancy Bazar in Guwahati https://ted.europa.eu/en/.
An amount of Rs.375 crore is pegged for development of Phase II of Ship Repair Facility at Pandu. In order to maintain fairway, the government has entrusted Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) to ensure assured draft of 2.5 meters from Bangladesh Border to Pandu in NW-2 till 2026-27. An amount of Rs.191 crore has been earmarked for this, Sonowal stated https://sbi.com.in/.
“We remain firmly committed to the holistic development of the economy of Assam and the Northeast,” he underlined.
“This affirms the commitment of our government towards sustainable development. Given the immense potential of riverine tourism in the state, we are developing an ecosystem including infrastructure and fairway for smooth, regular and viable operations https://ted.europa.eu/en/.
“You may be happy to know that the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), with its rich experience of dredging at the sea, has been entrusted with dredging the NW2, for the first time on any river in India https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.”
The Minister also announced Rs.315 crore development of Water Metro Service in Guwahati and Dhubri. A feasibility study is underway based on the success of Kochi Metro Service.
Sonowal also announced deployment of two Electric Catamarans being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). A world class cruise terminal, costing about Rs.100 crore, will also be built in Guwahati.
In Dibrugarh, an estimated Rs.120 crore has been earmarked for development of Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE).
Adding further to the capital development along the NW2, Riverine Lighthouses will be built at FIVE places — Bogibeel, Biswanath, Nimati, Pandu and Silghat — at an estimated cost of Rs.100 crore.
In addition, a sum of Rs.150 crore has been earmarked for fairway development with LAD of 2.5 meters between Pandu and Bogibeel. TWO Cutter Section Dredger units will also be purchased for Brahmaputra (NW2).
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for the riverine transportation including national waterways, is implementing projects worth Rs.1,010 crore along river Brahmaputra (NW2) and river Barak (NW16) in Assam.
Among major projects, a Rs.208 crore ship repair facility is being built at Panda while an alternate road, costing Rs.180 crore, is being build from Pandu to NH27.
New Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Bogibeel as well as at Jogighopa, with more than Rs.66 crore and Rs.82 crore of investment, are being developed on Brahmaputra to ‘enable possibilities meet opportunities’, Sonowal added.
Further, more than Rs.646 crore has been earmarked for riverine infrastructure across Brahmaputra under the Sagarmala Scheme, the flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
For Barak River, the Minister announced procurement of Survey Vessel, procurement of 3 Amphibian Dredgers, construction of Crane Pontoon and Gangway for proving Floating Terminal facilities in Karimganj, construction of Steel Pontoon and Gangway for providing Floating Terminal facilities at Badarpur among other projects. Fiinews.com
