Guwahati, Jan 9: The Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways on Monday announced key initiatives for the development of inland waterways in Assam in the coming years.
Interacting with mediapersons here, Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would on January 13 virtually unveil the foundation stones for two major initiatives, while inaugurating the Maritime Skill Centre for Northeast to ramp up the capacity of Pandu port.
“The maritime skill centre will be instrumental in honing the rich talent pool of the Northeast. Other initiatives planned are a ship repair facility at Pandu multi-modal terminal and an elevated road connecting the multi-modal terminal at Pandu with National Highway 27 in Guwahati,” Sonowal said.
The Union minister also announced an investment of Rs 1016 crore for the development of inland waterways in Assam for the forthcoming years.
A comprehensive package to develop the Brahmaputra river (NW2) has now been enhanced to Rs 474 crore as well as an enhanced package of Rs 148 crore has been earmarked for the development of the Barak river (NW16) recently.
The ministry has also approved development of the Dhansiri river (NW 31) and Kopili river (NW 57).
Highlighting the success of rejuvenated waterways as an alternative conduit of logistics under the Modi government, Sonowal said cargo movement in Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) has increased from 2.00 MT in 2014-15 to 5.43 MT in 2021-22.
“Our ministry has taken up major initiatives to power the waterways of the region and convert them into avenues of economic progress, development and growth. Be it cargo or passenger movement via waterways, we are planning and executing policies to build capacity in the region,” the minister said.
Sharing his views on the scheduled launch of Ganga Vilas, the world’s largest river cruise from Varanasi to Dibrugarh, by the Prime Minister on January 13 (at Varanasi), Sonowal said, “Ganga Vilas will open up a new vista for the tourism in the country. As the cruise will spend more than ten days in Assam, foreign tourists will be able to explore and experience a new horizon of socio-cultural hue along the river coast.”
“From Dhubri to Dibrugarh and Mayong to Majuli, this cruise has curated an interesting journey where the natural beauty of Assam will be relished. Its success has also opened a new avenue of investment in river cruise tourism in Assam,” he said.
Curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world, the 51-day cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sights, National Parks, river ghats and major cities.
The MV Ganga Vilas vessel has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all amenities to provide a luxurious experience for the tourists.
In Assam, the Ganga Vilas will stop at Dhubri, Goalpara (Jogighopa), Guwahati (Pandu), Pobitora, Tezpur, Silghat, Nemati Ghat before anchoring at Dibrugarh (Bogibeel).