The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal launched major push for the development of waterways with unveiling projects worth of 308 crores for North East region. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a passenger-cum-cargo terminal in Bogibeel near Dibrugarh, an Inland Water Transport Terminal in Sonamura, and upgraded terminals in Karimganj and Badarpur, aiming to revitalize IWT in the region for trade and commerce growth.
The Ports, Shipping & Waterways Minister laid the foundation for the construction of a Custom Immigration Office in Dhubri and a compound wall for IWAI Jogighopa terminal. The Bogibeel terminal, which has been inaugurated, is being built with an investment of nearly 50 crores, including cargo and passenger berths.
The construction of a 100-meter terminal at Bogibeel Terminal is expected to boost eco-tourism and improve economies of scale for major trades like tea, polymer, coal, and fertiliser. The terminal will also include an integrated officer for Immigration, Customs & IWAI at a cost of 18 Crores, and a project for bank protection and jetty extension at 12 Cr. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The Karimganj and Badarpur terminals will also power trade opportunities. All these projects will go a long way towards realising the vision of Narendra Modi ji towards the North east acting as the powerhouse of India’s growth towards becoming Viksit Bharat.”
