Guwahati: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday virtually inaugurated multiple projects worth Rs 254 crore for the development of inland waterways here.
Sonowal inaugurated Passenger-cum-Cargo Terminal at Bogibeel worth Rs. 46.60 crore, Inland Water Transport Terminal at Sonamura worth Rs. 6.91 crore, upgraded Terminal at Karimganj and Badarpur worth Rs. 6.40 crore.
During the event, he announced six Jetties at various locations on River Brahmaputra worth Rs. 8.45 crore, 19 passenger vessels for National Waterway-2 and National Waterway-16 worth Rs. 25 crore, and Extension of Jetty, Integrated Office and Bank Protection worth Rs. 30 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said that these infrastructural developments were poised to significantly augment connectivity within the Northeast, facilitating smoother movement of both passengers and cargo.
He claimed that since the BJP government came to power, the National Waterways Development Project has been executed more efficiently and within the specified timeframe.
Eight dredgers have been arranged for the dredging of National Waterway 2 and National Waterway 16, the Union Minister added.
He mentioned that within the next 10 years, 1,000 ships and ferries operating on national waterways will be converted into green transport.
Sonowal alleged that the country’s waterways were neglected during the Congress rule. But during the ten years of BJP rule, the country’s waterways have seen unprecedented development.
MP Queen Oja, Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, MLAs Siddhartha Bhattacharyya and Ramendra Narayan Kalita were present on the occasion
