On Tuesday, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa, marking a significant step in India’s inland water transport network. To celebrate the event, a vessel, MV Trishul, along with two barges, Ajay and Dikshu, was also launched, taking 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips to Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the terminal in February 2021.

Prime Minister Modi praised the inauguration as a prominent step forward for India’s infrastructure and growth of inland waterways. In a post on X, he called it “a noteworthy addition in our quest for improving infrastructure as well as encouraging inland waterways for progress and prosperity.”

The inaugurated Jogighopa terminal is strategically positioned and linked to the Multi-Modal Logistics Park. It is set to function as an international port of call for Bhutan and Bangladesh, enabling smooth cargo transportation across Assam and the Northeast region. Bhutan’s Minister of Finance, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, attended the event, highlighting the terminal’s regional importance.

As per Sonowal, “The IWT terminal at Jogighopa is set to transform connectivity in the region and bolster our trilateral trade with Bhutan and Bangladesh. Its strategic position allows it to act as an economic multiplier for the region, a testament to PM Narendra Modi’s doctrine of ‘Neighbourhood First.”

India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector has experienced significant growth over the past decade. The number of operational national waterways has increased by 767%, while cargo handling has risen by 727%. Multimodal terminals have expanded by 62%, and the budget allocation for inland waterways has surged by 860%. Cargo traffic on national waterways has grown rapidly, rising from 18 million tonnes a decade ago to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 22%.

The Jogighopa terminal is important in India’s trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan. It is 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from the Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati. It is also recognised as a designated Port of Call under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T) agreement with Bangladesh. By 2027, the terminal will handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Built at over ₹82 crore, the terminal has essential facilities, including administrative and customs offices, immigration services, truck parking, a 1,100 sqm covered storage area with backup power, and an 11,000 sqm open storage area.

India’s inland waterways are not only facilitating cargo transport but also contributing to the growth of tourism. The MV Ganga Vilas, the world’s most extended river cruise, showcased the potential of cruise tourism by navigating through 27 river systems across five states and two countries. Over the past decade, the tourism sector has grown significantly, with the number of river cruise vessels rising from just three in 2013-14 to 25 in 2023-24.

To enhance passenger experiences, a world-class river cruise terminal is being developed in Guwahati. Besides, four dedicated river cruise terminals at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are under construction and equipped with modern amenities and offshore facilities.

“The development of inland waterways holds great promise for transforming India’s logistics sector. By leveraging our extensive network of rivers and water bodies, we can create a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient mode of transportation for goods,” Sonowal said.

The government has launched significant efforts to expand and modernise India’s waterways. As part of the Cruise Bharat Mission, plans are to develop 10 sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas over the next five years. This initiative aims to double the number of cruise calls and passengers, enhance regional partnerships and boost sea and river cruise tourism by 2029.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the government has enacted groundbreaking legislations like the National Waterways Act, 2016, and the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, to empower and enhance the inland waterways transportation ecosystem for both cargo and passenger traffic,” Sonowal added.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has ambitious plans to boost urban water transport by launching water metro projects in 18 cities, including Guwahati, across 12 states. The goal is to replicate the remarkable success of the Kochi Water Metro model, offering people efficient and eco-friendly transportation solutions.