IWAI signs MoUs to boost Assam’s river transport, cargo movement, and Northeast links

Guwahati: In a major push to transform the Brahmaputra and the Northeast’s river systems into engines of trade, transport, and tourism, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed several high-value Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd., the Government of Assam, and multiple private partners.

The agreements were announced during a comprehensive review chaired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati. The MoUs aim to strengthen cargo movement, promote urban water mobility, and expand river tourism across Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Meghalaya.

MoU with Assam Petro-Chemicals to Boost Methanol and Formalin Exports

The first MoU, signed with Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APL), enables large-scale transportation of methanol and formalin through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route and National Waterways. Exports will move via IWAI terminals at Bogibeel, Pandu, and Jogighopa to Bangladesh and Southeast Asia, while domestic cargo will be transported using NW-1 and NW-2.

APL, which produces 198,000 MT of methanol and 115,000 MT of formalin annually, will benefit from Rs 400 crore worth of tanker vessels and infrastructure aimed at bulk, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly logistics. IWAI will support terminal operations, navigation, bunkering, firefighting systems, and the construction of 10 flat-bottom tanker barges.

Water Metro for Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh

A second MoU with the Government of Assam lays the groundwork for an Urban Water Transport (UWT) system, or Water Metro, connecting major Brahmaputra cities—Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh. Estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, the project will integrate river routes with road, rail, and bus networks and deploy electric-hybrid boats. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. is conducting the feasibility study.

Union Minister Sonowal said these initiatives support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of turning the Northeast into a hub of inland water connectivity and industrial opportunity.

Cruise Tourism Expansion

IWAI also signed a Rs 500-crore MoU with Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd. to induct new cruise vessels and expand tourism on the Brahmaputra and other national waterways. In addition, IWAI and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships will develop river lighthouses at Bogibeel, Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, and Pandu to aid navigation and promote heritage tourism.

For cruise terminals at Neamati, Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan, Rs 299 crore has been earmarked.

Logistics Modernisation with Rhenus MoU

A landmark agreement with Rhenus Logistics will introduce modern tug-barges on the Ganga and Brahmaputra, enhancing multimodal cargo capacity for industries in the Northeast. A Regional Centre of Excellence will be developed in Dibrugarh at a cost of Rs 188 crore, while another Rs 55-crore project will develop strategic land in Guwahati.

Major River Infrastructure Push in Northeast States

The review highlighted 15 major projects and 10 Central Sector Scheme initiatives across the region:

• Mizoram: Studies underway for Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure on the Tlawng and Chhimtuipui rivers. Stage-I work started on a Rs 9.82-crore project at Khawthlangtuipui–Tuichawng, including new terminals, floating jetties, and modern boats.
• Nagaland: Detailed project reports (DPRs) are being prepared for IWT facilities at Doyang Lake and water tourism at Noune and Shilloi Lakes.
• Manipur: DPRs proposed for IWT development on the Barak, Imphal, and Nambul rivers.
• Meghalaya: DPRs under preparation for Umiam Lake and Umngot River under NW-106.
• Tripura: Rs 24.53-crore project to connect the Gumti River with the Meghna river system in Bangladesh; feasibility study for cruise tourism on Dumbur Lake.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Proposal for IWT infrastructure on the Siang River, including terminals, floating jetties, solar facilities, and passenger/tourism vessels.

Investment Ahead

Sonowal said the ongoing projects reflect the Modi government’s commitment to reviving river-based connectivity in the Northeast and integrating the region with national and global markets.

“We aim to invest more than Rs 5,000 crore in IWT development in the coming years. Our waterways are becoming a lifeline of opportunity for the people of the Northeast,” he said.