GUWAHATI, Dec 27: The construction of the ship repair facility at Pandu will commence from May 2022 and will be completed in two years thereafter.
This was announced by Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal here on Monday after reviewing the technical work with top officials of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Cochin Shipyard Limited and IIT, Madras.
Sonowal said the technical work would be completed as the construction of the facility is slated to commence from May, 2022. “The project is aimed to be completed by 2024,” he said.
The ship repair facility is going to be a major contributor to the economic resurgence of the region.
The design and implementation of this project is being done jointly by IWAI and Cochin Shipyard Limited. The technical support is being provided by IIT, Madras.
The facility – also referred as ‘Slipway’ – is going to be developed on 3.67 acres of land which is provided by the Assam government.
The minister further expounded that the future progress of the Northeast region hinged on the development of the waterways.
Speaking after the review meeting, Sonowal said, “Our rich history and economic prosperity can be reinvigorated by developing our rivers as waterways for smooth and swift movement of cargo and passengers. This will not only boost the export sector of the entire northeastern region but will also become a major multiplier in the employment generation in the region”.
“All the state governments of the Northeast have extended their support in developing these waterways. We – the Centre along with the state governments – will work together in a seamless manner so that the people can reap the benefits and prosper,” he said.