Will the Centre Invest Rs 5000 Crore in NE Projects?

Guwahati, July 7 (NationPress) - Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled several initiatives aimed at enhancing the waterways and maritime sector within the northeastern region.

With a significant investment of Rs 5,000 crores allocated, the Union government is set to implement major projects in this arena.

Over the last 11 years, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has revolutionized India’s maritime landscape, achieving remarkable progress in cargo handling, capacity expansion, and coastal shipping.

Major ports have almost doubled their capacities, cruise tourism is flourishing with ambitious new terminals, and 50,000 youth from the Northeast will receive training for maritime careers.

Key legislative reforms, digital advancements, green shipping initiatives, and projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are enhancing regional connectivity and trade.

India’s ports are now competitive on a global scale, with nine listed among the World Bank’s top 100, and Visakhapatnam Port ranking in the top 20.

During the announcement, Sarbananda Sonowal stated, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership, we have revitalized India’s maritime sector like never before. From historic growth in port capacity and cargo handling to pioneering green shipping and cruise tourism, these achievements highlight the Modi government's commitment to establish India as a global maritime leader and promote inclusive development across coastal and riverine areas."

At the press conference, Sonowal revealed that the government intends to train 50,000 youth from the region in maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring job opportunities in this expanding sector.

The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati, along with the forthcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh, will drive this transformation.

The CoE will be established with an investment of Rs 200 crores. Both centres are expected to generate 500 jobs annually. Sonowal expressed, "PM Modi envisions how our Yuva Shakti can effect real change in the country. Our goal is to train, equip, and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with top-notch maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring meaningful employment and growth. Our centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will serve as the backbone of this transformation."

The Ministry has initiated projects worth Rs 1,000 crores in the Northeast’s inland waterways sector over the past two years, with Rs 300 crores of work completed and Rs 700 crores slated for completion by 2025.

Key initiatives include permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj, and Badarpur; year-round fairway dredging; a new access road to Pandu Port; heritage restoration in Dibrugarh; tourist jetties valued at Rs 299 crores; skill development centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh; and plans for lighthouses at Bogibeel, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat, and Pandu.

Feasibility studies have confirmed the viability of operations in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh, and cruise vessels are being acquired under central schemes.

In Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, efforts are underway to enhance IWT infrastructure and promote water-based tourism. The operationalization of the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) opens new trade routes bypassing the Siliguri Corridor, bolstering regional connectivity and aligning with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Responding to inquiries regarding the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), Sarbananda Sonowal stated, "The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a product of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty. This strategic initiative aims to enhance connectivity between India’s Northeast and Myanmar and is set to be fully operational by 2027."

He emphasized that the Northeast is pivotal to Bharat’s development agenda.

"Empowered by PM Modi’s transformative ‘Act East’ policy, this previously landlocked region is now poised for direct and more efficient access to international sea routes," he added.

He further noted that the rapid execution of the Sittwe Port in Myanmar reflects this commitment.

"Once fully operational, the region will unlock new trade opportunities not only for Northeast India but also for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, connecting them with Southeast Asia," he concluded.