Assam: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched three major Brahmaputra waterways projects on National Waterway-2 in Dibrugarh, boosting inland water transport in the Northeast.
He inaugurated the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel. He also opened a similar facility at Dhubri. In addition, he unveiled the renovated IWAI heritage building in Dibrugarh. The event took place at Chowkidingee Field. Assam Ministers and senior IWAI officials attended the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the projects reflected a balance of development and heritage. He linked the initiatives to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We are moving ahead with a clear vision of Vikas and Virasat. The Brahmaputra is our lifeline, our history and our future,” he said.
He stated that the new facilities would strengthen logistics and improve passenger movement. Moreover, they would unlock fresh trade and tourism opportunities in the region. As a result, cargo handling and regulatory coordination on NW-2 are expected to improve.
Customs complexes strengthen Brahmaputra waterways projects
The Bogibeel complex combines customs, immigration and IWAI offices in one terminal. It functions as a tourist-cum-cargo hub. The facility includes arrival and departure halls. It also has cargo storage areas and administrative blocks. Furthermore, officials installed integrated security systems to improve efficiency and support trade under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.
Similarly, the Dhubri complex aims to tighten regulatory oversight in western Assam. It will boost export-import operations. Therefore, authorities expect Dhubri to emerge as a key inland water transport gateway for trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Meanwhile, authorities restored the IWAI heritage building in Dibrugarh. They also upgraded its operational infrastructure. The building will now serve administrative needs on NW-2. At the same time, it will promote river tourism and preserve regional architecture.
Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, the government declared 20 rivers in the Northeast as National Waterways. Among them, the Brahmaputra (NW-2), Barak (NW-16), Dhansiri (NW-31) and Kopili (NW-57) are under active development.
Senior officials said the government is promoting inland waterways as a cost-effective transport mode. They added that infrastructure on NW-2 will accelerate growth in the Northeast. Overall, the Brahmaputra waterways projects are expected to reduce logistics costs and strengthen the river’s role as a sustainable economic corridor.
