Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates three projects to bolster Inland Waterways on Brahmaputra (NW 2) in Dibrugarh

The projects include the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel, the Customs and Immigration Complex at Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at Dibrugarh.      The programme, held at Chowkidingee Field, was attended by Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, Public Works Minister Jogen Mohan, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Borah. MP Rameswar Teli, MLAs Terash Gowalla, Chakradhar Gogoi, Binod Hazarika, Ponakan Baruah, Taranga Gogoi, Sanjoy Kishan, and Bhaskar Sharma were also present, along with Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW and Sunil Paliwal, Chairman, IWAI, among other senior officials of the Ministry and IWAI.      Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the projects reflect the dynamic governance model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that seeks rapid development without losing cultural identity.      “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are moving ahead with a clear vision of Vikas and Virasat. We are striving toward progress and economic development while preserving our roots, our heritage and our culture. The Brahmaputra is not just a river; it is our lifeline, our history and our future,” Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Sonowal said the newly inaugurated infrastructure will strengthen logistics, enhance passenger movement and unlock fresh opportunities for trade and tourism in the Northeast…The Dhubri Customs and Immigration Complex is designed to enhance regulatory oversight and boost export-import operations in western Assam, positioning the town as a strategic gateway for inland water transport and cross-border commerce with Bangladesh and Bhutan.

The renovated Heritage Building at Dibrugarh combines restoration of architectural features with upgraded operational infrastructure. Officials said the building will serve IWAI’s administrative requirements on NW-2 while also contributing to riverine tourism and preserving the region’s architectural legacy.

Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, 20 rivers in the Northeast have been declared National Waterways, with the Brahmaputra (NW-2), Barak (NW-16), Dhansiri (NW-31) and Kopili (NW-57) being actively developed.      Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, highlighted the government’s initiatives to strengthen inland waterways as a viable alternative mode of transport and to revive traditional river-based connectivity for promoting trade and tourism. They expressed confidence that the infrastructure being developed on National Waterway–2 would further accelerate efforts to position the Northeast as an engine of growth.

The projects are expected to reduce logistics costs, strengthen cross-border trade, improve passenger and cargo movement and reinforce the Brahmaputra’s role as a dependable and sustainable economic corridor for the Northeast.