Centre plans Rs 4,800 crore Brahmaputra waterways push
Guwahati, May 19
The Centre is stepping up efforts to transform the Brahmaputra into a major economic and connectivity corridor for the Northeast, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday outlining an integrated river development strategy combining transport, trade, tourism, and scientific river basin management.
The roadmap was discussed at the High Powered Review Board meeting of the Brahmaputra Board held in Guwahati, where ministers, technical experts, and representatives from northeastern states deliberated on strengthening flood control, erosion management, and sustainable utilisation of water resources in the region.
Addressing the meeting, Sonowal said the Centre views the Brahmaputra not merely as a river but as a "critical national asset" capable of driving economic growth and regional connectivity across the Northeast.
"The Brahmaputra is emerging as an economic lifeline for the Northeast. Inland waterways offer an environmentally sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective mode of transportation that can transform connectivity and commerce in the region," he said.
The minister said the Inland Waterways Authority of India has been actively developing the Brahmaputra, designated as National Waterway-2, to improve cargo movement and passenger connectivity through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route linking the Northeast with Kolkata and Haldia ports.
According to officials, projects worth nearly Rs 751 crore have already been completed in Assam, including terminals at Pandu, Dhubri, and Jogighopa, as well as floating jetties and upgraded shore infrastructure.
Works worth more than Rs 1,100 crore are currently underway, including fairway development on the Brahmaputra, ship repair facilities, tourist jetties, and a Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh.
Sonowal also announced that the government plans to invest nearly Rs 4,800 crore in inland waterways infrastructure across the Northeast over the next five years.
The proposed projects include the construction of community jetties, cruise terminals, dredgers, cargo vessels, and urban water transport systems to improve last-mile connectivity and logistics efficiency in riverine areas.
The minister stressed the need for an integrated river basin management approach that combines flood management, dredging, erosion control, and infrastructure development while preserving ecological balance.
He also highlighted the importance of combining traditional and indigenous water management practices of the Northeast with modern technologies such as Geographic Information System mapping, Light Detection and Ranging surveys, and digital monitoring systems.
The meeting was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil, ministers from northeastern states, and senior officials of the Brahmaputra Board.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Rs 4,800 crore sounds impressive but what about maintenance? We've seen many big projects announced but then they get delayed or poorly maintained. The Pandu terminal is good but needs better connectivity to the rest of Assam. Also, inland waterways can be a game-changer for reducing logistics costs for tea, coal, and agricultural products from the region.
As someone who works in logistics, I can say the Brahmaputra waterway is a great idea—connects Northeast to Kolkata and even Bangladesh. But we need to ensure the river's depth is maintained year-round. Dredging must be done with care to not harm the ecosystem. And please, let's not forget the embankment repairs that are long overdue.
It's encouraging to see a holistic approach combining transport, tourism, and flood control. The mention of traditional water management practices is particularly important—our ancestors knew how to live with the river, not fight it. But I want to see concrete timelines and accountability. Promises are easy, execution is hard.
I'm all for development but at what cost? The Brahmaputra is ecologically sensitive—one wrong dredging or construction can disrupt fish breeding and affect thousands of livelihoods. We need environmental impact assessments made public. Also, the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route is promising, but geopolitical tensions can affect it.
Great to see Sonowal focusing on his home state's development! The river cruise and tourism aspect can boost local economy—imagine Brahmaputra cruises like the Nile!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.