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Agreements worth ₹3,000 cr signed for development of inland waterways in Northeast
Agreements worth ₹3,000 cr signed for development of inland waterways in Northeast
Guwahati, The Inland Waterways Authority of India has entered into agreements worth ₹3,000 crore with various stakeholders for developing the sector and boosting industrial connectivity in the Northeast, an official statement said on Friday.
It said Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the India Maritime Week 2025, held recently in Mumbai.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal also chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials of the ministry as well as the IWAI on all projects in Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, including those under Central Sector Scheme , during the meet.
The review meet focussed on 15 primary projects in progress as well as 10 CSS projects, including three in Mizoram, two each in Nagaland and Tripura, and one in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The meeting also cleared a concept study for an-all weather approach road at Bogibeel for smooth passage to the cargo-cum-tourist terminal.
With a vision to expand river cruise tourism, the IWAI signed a MoU of ₹500 crore with Heritage River Journeys Pvt Ltd to develop and induct new cruise vessels and expand cruising operations on the national waterways, it said.
The partnership aims to strengthen premium tourism experiences and tap the heritage and natural appeal of the Brahmaputra and other major rivers.
IWAI and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships signed an agreement to establish a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing river navigation safety and promoting tourism along National Waterway 2 in Assam.
A MoU of ₹1,000 crore with Rhenus Logistics was inked, which will enable induction of modern tug-barges on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, significantly enhancing cargo transportation capacity and improving multimodal logistics efficiency for the Northeast.
For development of cruise terminals at Neamati, Silghat, Biswanath Ghat and Guijan in Assam, an investment of ₹299 crore has been earmarked, the statement said.
For the development of the Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh with a project value of ₹188 crore, alongside a ₹55 crore plan for developing a key land parcel in Guwahati, two other MoUs were also signed.
"Our collaboration to export products to neighbouring markets and the creation of a Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh reflect our commitment to innovation and global integration. We are transforming our waterways into engines of growth, prosperity and pride," Sonowal said.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
