Guwahati (Assam) [India], May 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central Government is scaling up efforts to remodel the Brahmaputra right into a multi-functional financial hall, with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal spearheading an built-in push that mixes transport, commerce, tourism and river administration.
The push was reviewed on the High Powered Review Board (HPRB) assembly of the Brahmaputra Board in Guwahati, Assam, on Tuesday, the place ministers, technical specialists and state representatives deliberated on strengthening scientific river basin planning, flood management and sustainable utilisation of water assets throughout the Northeast.
The assembly additionally emphasised higher coordination amongst basin states and the adoption of superior applied sciences comparable to GIS, LiDAR and hydrological modelling.
Speaking on the event, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated, ‘At the center of this technique is the popularity of the Brahmaputra not merely as a river, however as a vital nationwide asset able to driving connectivity and financial progress throughout the Northeast. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has been working in the direction of realising the true potential of Brahmaputra, declared because the National Waterway 2 (NW2), because it gives a significant inland transport hall linking Assam, together with the opposite components of Northeast, to Kolkata and Haldia ports by means of the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR), reviving an environmentally sustainable, financial and environment friendly mode of transportation.’
In Assam, initiatives price round 751 crore have already been accomplished, together with key terminals at Pandu, Dhubri and Jogighopa, together with floating jetties and upgraded shore amenities. Ongoing works exceeding 1,100 crore embrace fairway growth alongside the Brahmaputra, ship restore amenities, vacationer jetties and the institution of a Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh.
Adding additional, Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the transfer by the Union Government to launch the State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF) to strengthen sustainable water governance and reform initiatives throughout states.
‘Developing the Brahmaputra is about making a resilient and sustainable river ecosystem that helps connectivity, commerce and communities. Integrated river basin planning combining flood administration, erosion management, dredging and infrastructure growth is important to make sure year-round navigability and long-term financial progress. With the adoption of recent applied sciences comparable to GIS-based planning and digital monitoring, we’re working in the direction of remodeling our waterways into environment friendly, inexperienced and future-ready transport corridors whereas preserving the ecological stability of the area, as envisioned by our dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji,’ argued Sarbananda Sonowal whereas advocating strongly for Integrated River Development Strategy on the meet.
The authorities can be investing in a future pipeline of initiatives price almost 4,800 crore throughout the Northeast, together with group jetties, cargo vessels, dredgers and cruise terminals. These initiatives are anticipated to strengthen last-mile connectivity, enhance logistics effectivity and generate employment in riverine areas.
At the coverage degree, the Brahmaputra Board is being repositioned as a contemporary, technology-driven river basin organisation. Plans embrace digital governance techniques, data-driven challenge monitoring and the revitalisation of analysis establishments such because the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI).
The Modi authorities additionally views the river as a ‘strategic lever for its Act East Policy’, enabling cross-border connectivity and regional commerce, added Sonowal. Inland waterways are more and more being positioned as a cheap and environmentally sustainable various to street and rail transport, lowering congestion, gasoline consumption and emissions.
Under PM Narendra Modi’s authorities since 2014, the inland water transport in India and notably within the Northeast has witnessed fast progress. Cargo motion on nationwide waterways has elevated from 18 million metric tonnes in 2014 to over 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26, underscoring the sector’s increasing position within the logistics chain.
In the following interval, the inland waterways sector within the NER area prone to witness growth of 79 group jetties, growth of key amenities such because the Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Dibrugarh and the ship restore facility at Pandu, and building of supporting infrastructure for Customs and Immigration at strategic river ports. The plan additionally envisages procurement of dredgers, survey vessels and cargo fleets, alongside the introduction of city water transport techniques and cruise terminals in Assam. Officials stated these investments are aimed toward bettering navigability, enhancing logistics effectivity and unlocking the financial potential of river-based transport, whilst technical challenges comparable to heavy sediment load, shifting channels and recurring floods necessitate a scientific and built-in river basin administration strategy.
The HPRB assembly was additionally attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil; Union Minister of State (MoS) for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary; Assam Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog; Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Biyuram Wahge; Manipur Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh; Meghalaya Water Resources Minister Metbah Lyngdoh; Mizoram IWRD Minister P.C. Vanlalruata; Sikkim PHE Minister Sonam Lama; and Tripura Industries Minister Santana Chakma.
The assembly was additionally attended by advisors and the Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, Ranbir Singh. (ANI)