Dec 20: A project for comprehensive development of National Waterways-2 (River Brahmaputra) at the cost of Rs. 474 cr has been taken up by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways for implementation during 2020-21 to 2024-25. Details of activities are in Annexure 1. Besides, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) under which a 100 % grant is provided to the North Eastern States for the development of Inland Water Transport. Details of ongoing projects under CSS in the State of Assam are in Annexure 2.
A comparative statement of yearly expenditure details on the development of waterways in Assam for periods of 5 years from 2009-10 to 2013-14 under the previous Government and from 2014-15 to 2018-19 under the present Government is detailed in Annexure-3.
In addition to 891 km of NW-2 (the Brahmaputra) in 2014, 19 more Waterways were declared as National Waterways (NWs) in NER through National Waterways Act, of 2016. Out of which 121 km of NW-16 (the Barak) has been taken up for development. Further, projects for the development of Dhansiri river (NW-31) and Kopili river (NW-57) have been approved.
Annexure -1
Ongoing Projects on Brahmaputra River (NW-2) in Assam as on 30th November 2022:
| Sl.No. | Name of Project | Description of activities |
| 1 | Comprehensive Development of NW-2 at a cost of Rs. 474 crores . | The project for the development of NW-2 includes the following main activities:- 1. Construction of the Jogighopa terminal, 2. Construction of cargo cum passenger terminal at Bogibeel, 3. DibrugarhFairway development 4. O&M of navigational aids 5. O&M of fixed & floating terminals 6. O&M of vessels 7. Consultancy/training maintenance of e-portal etc. |
Annexure-2
| S.No. | Name of Project/Description | Cost of Project (Rs. in Crore) |
| Construction of 25 nos. of 17.0 M long Floating Terminals for 25 Ghat Banks on the river Brahmaputra under the Central Sector Scheme | 10.97 | |
| Construction of 15 nos. of 17.0 M long Floating Terminals for 15 Ghat Points on the river Barak (NW-16) under the Central Sector Scheme. | 6.37 | |
| Construction of 16 nos. of 25.0 M long Floating Terminals for 16 Ghat Banks on the river Brahmaputra under the Central Sector Scheme | 13.70 |
Annexure -3
Comparative statement of expenditure details on the development of waterways in Assam
| Tenure of Previous Government from 2009-2014 | Tenure of Present Government from 2014-2019 | ||
| Year | Expenditure (Rs. in crore) | Year | Expenditure (Rs. in crore) |
| 2009-10 | 52.11 | 2014-15 | 37.33 |
| 2010-11 | 40.33 | 2015-16 | 79.39 |
| 2011-12 | 56.47 | 2016-17 | 74.67 |
| 2012-13 | 56.91 | 2017-18 | 118.97 |
| 2013-14 | 48.64 | 2018-19 | 109.61 |
