Rivers as multimodal trade corridors
Shri Sonowal said investments in dredging, fairway maintenance and permanent terminals have made year-round navigation possible on key river systems such as the Brahmaputra and Barak. Jetties and terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj and Badarpur are already serving as critical hubs for cross-border trade, shortening transit distances and cutting fuel consumption compared with road transport.
Operational gains and cargo growth
The minister highlighted sharp sectoral gains, noting operational waterways are up 767%, cargo volumes have risen 635%, investments in IWT are up 233% and multimodal terminals increased by 62%. He said cargo movement on NW-2 is approaching six lakh tonnes annually a sign that river transport is emerging as a reliable backbone for heavy and over-dimensional cargo movements tied to refinery expansions and industrial projects.
Petroleum logistics and export potential
Using inland waterways for petroleum products enables more efficient movement from Assam’s refineries (including Numaligarh) to cross-border destinations. Sonowal pointed to successful inland transport of over-dimensional cargo for refinery expansion and ongoing petroleum shipments as proof of waterways’ scalability for energy logistics. The minister linked these gains to broader Act East and export objectives, envisioning stronger linkages to Bangladesh and Southeast Asian markets.
Targeted investments and local capacity building
The government has committed about ₹1,000 crore to inland waterways projects in the Northeast over the past two years, Sonowal said. Notable projects include a ₹239 crore ship-repair facility at Pandu expected to lower vessel maintenance costs and a Regional Centre of Excellence at Dibrugarh worth ₹188 crore, which will train nearly 5,000 students in maritime skills and logistics operations.
Economic and environmental benefits
River transport reduces carbon intensity per tonne-kilometre compared with road haulage and relieves pressure on congested highways. Sonowal argued that shifting large consignments and petroleum cargoes to waterways will cut logistics costs, lower emissions and unlock hinterland industrial growth particularly for heavy, bulky or seasonal shipments where waterborne transport is inherently more economical.
Scaling infrastructure and partnerships
During India Maritime Week 2025, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed MoUs worth ₹40,000 crore to expand waterborne logistics, Sonowal noted. He called for deeper public-private collaboration and industry participation to accelerate terminal development, shipbuilding and repair capacity, inland vessel operations, and tourism infrastructure along river corridors.
Challenges and next steps
Sonowal acknowledged operational challenges from navigational safety and year-round maintenance to port connectivity and last-mile links but stressed that continued investment, skill development and multimodal integration under PM Gati Shakti would overcome these barriers. He reiterated plans to make 76 national waterways operational by 2027 as part of a broader effort to integrate inland waterways into India’s logistics fabric.
Regional impact and policy alignment
Leaders at the conclave including Assam Minister Kaushik Roy and senior officials from the petroleum ministry endorsed Sonowal’s call for coordinated action. The minister framed waterways as a strategic complement to road and rail networks that will support the Northeast’s transition into an export-oriented growth pole, consistent with India’s Act East policy.
