The amount is being invested in five projects on the rivers Brahmaputra (NW 2), Barak (NW 16), Dhansiri (NW 31) and Kopili (NW 57) to leverage the waterways for strategic improvement of ties with neighbouring countries.
Responding to the question tabled at the Rajya Sabha, Sonowal said, “Recognizing the significance of rivers for connectivity and prosperity, 20 rivers in the Northeast were declared as National Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016. To improve the waterways connectivity within the Northeast area to facilitate enhancing trade expansion strategies, Government approved FIVE projects at a total cost of Rs 1126 crores for development of the Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) infrastructure on national waterways in the Northeast.”
Of the five projects, the comprehensive development of river Brahmaputra (NW 2) is being done at a cost of Rs 474 crores while development of river Barak (NW16) in India along the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) is being done at a cost of Rs 148 crores. The development of rivers Dhansiri (NW 31) and Kopili (NW 57) is planned with an outlay of Rs 116 crores. In addition, construction of an alternative road to Pandu Port in Guwahati on NW 2 to NH 27 was sanctioned in January this year with at a cost of Rs 180 crores. The Ship Repair Facility at Pandu is also being executed at Pandu on NW 2 at a cost of Rs 208 crores.
Sonowal said, “The objective of Act East Policy is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationship with countries in the Asia Pacific region by providing enhanced connectivity to the states of Northeast India. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the government is enabling projects and programmes to unlock the true potential of Northeast India as the engine of growth of India. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) have also been working with this philosophy to enable the rich inter web of riverine system in the Northeast region for fostering sustainable development and strengthening economic growth.”
Sonowal added, “There is a specific focus on regional connectivity initiatives which act as force multipliers for regional growth and development while enhancing people to people contact and economic cooperation. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has undertaken projects for connectivity NE states with the neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh. Our flagship programme, Sagarmala, has identified 400 projects at a cost of Rs 2.55 lakh crores for the development of eastern coast of India. These projects include modernization of existing ports and terminals, new ports, terminals, RoRo & tourist jetties, enhancement of port connectivity, inland waterways, lighthouse tourism, industrialization around port, skill development, technology centres etc.”
