From Assam to Bihar, IWAI clears key inland waterway projects to boost trade, tourism, and skill development.
In a major step forward for India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) took several pivotal decisions at its 198th Board Meeting, held in the national capital today. From boosting river tourism in Assam to greenlighting training hubs and port infrastructure, the meeting marked a significant milestone in IWAI’s efforts to build a modern, connected, and skill-ready waterways ecosystem.
Tourism and trade set to sail in Assam
To meet rising demand in the North East, the Board approved setting up four new jetties, three for tourism at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, and Guijan, and one tourist-cum-cargo jetty at Neamati, all in Assam. These new terminals aim to enhance connectivity with national and regional tourist circuits and stimulate economic activity through inland trade and tourism.
A regional skill powerhouse at Bogibeel
Another major highlight was the approval of a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Bogibeel, Dibrugarh. With a capacity to train over 5,300 participants, the centre will focus on skill development, research, and certified training aligned with the Inland Vessels Act, 2021—filling a critical manpower gap in the IWT sector, especially in the North East.
New IWAI office and skill centre in Guwahati
IWAI also cleared the development of a multi-storeyed complex in Fancy Bazar, Guwahati, on a 2,154 sq. m land parcel. The building, to be developed by IPRCL, will house IWAI’s regional office and a Maritime Skill Development Centre, further strengthening the institutional ecosystem for inland waterways.
Ship repair facility in Patna gets a go-ahead
In a move to bolster maintenance infrastructure on the Ganga (NW-1), IWAI entrusted NTCPWC at IIT Madras with preparing the Detailed Project Report for a proposed Ship Repair Facility in Patna, Bihar. The project was announced last week by Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, aiming to support river vessel upkeep along this key waterway stretch.
Extended port gate system in West Bengal
The Board also approved an extended port gate system at Balagarh, West Bengal, to be developed by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, improving last-mile access and operational efficiency in cargo movement.
Launching the Indian waterways congress
In a first, IWAI will establish the Indian Waterways Congress, modelled after the Indian Road Congress, to promote global best practices, technology deployment, and sectoral standardisation. The platform will bring together government bodies, research institutions, shipping lines, and logistics firms to accelerate growth and innovation in the waterways sector.
Cadre review and organisational restructuring
The Board also gave the green light to a cadre review and restructuring plan prepared by the National Institute of Smart Government. The goal is to prepare IWAI for upcoming sectoral demands by ensuring it has the talent and structure needed to scale operations—especially in cargo handling and cruise tourism.
With strong backing from the Modi government and the leadership of Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI is rapidly expanding its footprint—from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir to Kerala. Alongside National Waterway-1, the Authority is intensifying development across NW-2, NW-3, and NW-16, focusing on fairway creation, navigational aids, terminals, and smart port infrastructure.
The 198th Board Meeting has clearly set the tone for what’s next—a faster, smarter, and more connected inland waterway network powering India’s trade and tourism ambitions.
Source: PIB
