Kolkata, Feb 18 (NationPress) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal officially opened the Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa in Assam on Tuesday. He also launched a vessel carrying two barges with 110 tons of cargo destined for Bangladesh.

The groundwork for the IWT Terminal was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2021.

“The new Terminal at Jogighopa is a transformative asset for the logistics industry in Eastern India. It is set to significantly enhance trilateral trade among India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, thus driving logistics development and fulfilling PM Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat,” Sonowal remarked during the inauguration.

The Union Minister elaborated on the remarkable evolution of waterways transport under PM Modi's leadership.

“The terminal's strategic location enables it to function as an economic catalyst for the region, reflecting PM Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy,” he stated.

By utilizing the vast network of rivers and water bodies, the terminal aims to establish a sustainable, economical, and effective goods transportation system.

“Our government has introduced several groundbreaking laws such as the National Waterways Act, 2016 and Inland Vessels Act, 2021 to enhance the inland waterways transportation ecosystem for both cargo and passenger transit. The northeastern states have evolved into growth drivers, with Assam leading this initiative. As we progress towards realizing the Viksit Bharat vision, the Northeast's vast potential is crucial. Our intricate network of rivers, including the Brahmaputra (National Waterways 2), plays a pivotal role as the government develops infrastructure and cultivates an ecosystem to support inland waterways transportation in this region,” he continued.

Attendees included Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Minister of Industries, Commerce & Employment from the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, Jogighopa is in the Bongaigaon district of Assam. The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) in Kolkata reported that the terminal was constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 82 crore, featuring an RCC Jetty and an electric-level luffing crane for efficient cargo handling.

Additionally, the SMP spokesperson noted that the minister inaugurated the MV Trishul, along with barges Ajay and Dikshu, carrying 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips to Bangladesh.

“The terminal holds significant strategic value, being situated just 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from the Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati, making it vital for our trade relations with both countries,” he explained.

He further mentioned that the Jogighopa Terminal is among the officially designated ports of call under PIWT&T between India and Bangladesh.

“By 2027, this terminal is projected to manage 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually,” he added.

Moreover, the terminal is equipped with facilities such as an administrative building, customs office, immigration office, a truck parking area, a 1,100 square meters covered storage area with backup power, and 11,000 square meters of open storage space.

According to the spokesperson, cargo traffic on national waterways has seen remarkable growth over the past decade, expanding from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, achieving a CAGR of over 22 percent.

The Inland Waterways sector is also crucial for tourism, with plans for a world-class river cruise terminal in Guwahati and four dedicated river cruise terminals being developed at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan.