In a landmark development for inland waterway logistics in Northeast India, Pandu Terminal in Guwahati has, for the first time, handled the movement of an Over-Dimensional Cargo (ODC) consignment. The milestone shipment comprises 537 metric tonnes of Jack-up Barges belonging to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), originating from the Heavy Lift Jetty (HLJ) at Pandu.
The cargo is now in final stages of readiness for its voyage to Kolkata, marking a significant leap in multimodal transportation capabilities and regional connectivity under the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
Boosting Connectivity & Trade Efficiency
The successful handling of such a large and complex consignment underscores the growing role of the Brahmaputra River (National Waterway-2) in facilitating the seamless transport of heavy and oversized project cargo. It not only reduces dependency on congested road and rail networks but also promotes sustainable and cost-effective logistics solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, an IWAI spokesperson said:
“This achievement reflects the increasing confidence of leading Indian industries in using inland waterways for complex and high-value cargo. It demonstrates the operational readiness of Pandu Terminal and its ability to handle specialized shipments that were earlier considered logistically challenging for the Northeast region.”
Technical Excellence in Handling ODC
Over-Dimensional Cargo like Jack-up Barges requires meticulous planning, specialized lifting arrangements, and precise coordination between multiple stakeholders. The handling team at Pandu ensured safe and efficient loading, meeting the high standards required for such operations.
A Step Towards the Future of Inland Water Transport
With the Government of India’s continued focus on developing National Waterways, this first-of-its-kind movement from Pandu is expected to pave the way for more industrial and infrastructure players to adopt riverine transport for project cargo.
The L&T consignment’s upcoming journey to Kolkata will further establish the viability of long-distance ODC movement via inland waterways, setting the stage for enhanced trade between the Northeast and other parts of India.
