The Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is intensifying efforts to transform the Brahmaputra River into a multi-functional economic corridor, positioning it as a key driver of connectivity, trade, tourism and sustainable development across Northeast India.
The strategy was reviewed during the High Powered Review Board meeting of the Brahmaputra Board held in Guwahati on May 20, chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The meeting brought together ministers, technical experts and state representatives to discuss scientific river basin planning, flood control measures and sustainable water resource management.
Addressing the meeting, Sonowal emphasized the strategic importance of the Brahmaputra as a catalyst for regional economic growth.
“At the heart of this strategy is the recognition of the Brahmaputra not merely as a river, but as a critical national asset capable of driving connectivity and economic growth across the Northeast,” he said.
The minister highlighted the efforts of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in developing the Brahmaputra, designated as National Waterway-2, into a major inland transport corridor linking Assam and the Northeast to Kolkata and Haldia ports through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
Major Infrastructure Investments
In Assam, inland waterways projects worth approximately ₹751 crore have already been completed, including terminals at Pandu, Dhubri and Jogighopa, along with floating jetties and upgraded shore facilities.
Projects valued at more than ₹1,100 crore are currently under implementation. These include fairway development, ship repair infrastructure, tourist jetties and a Regional Centre of Excellence at Dibrugarh.
Across the Northeast, the Centre is investing nearly ₹4,800 crore in waterways infrastructure, covering community jetties, cargo vessels, dredgers, cruise terminals and last-mile connectivity projects aimed at boosting logistics efficiency and creating employment opportunities in riverine communities.
Technology-Driven River Management
The review meeting underscored the need for greater coordination among basin states and the use of advanced technologies such as GIS mapping, LiDAR surveys and hydrological modelling for river management.
Sonowal welcomed the launch of the State Water Reforms Framework by the Centre, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening sustainable water governance.
“Developing the Brahmaputra is about creating a resilient and sustainable river ecosystem that supports connectivity, commerce and communities. Integrated river basin planning combining flood management, erosion control, dredging and infrastructure development is essential to ensure year-round navigability and long-term economic growth,” he said.
The Brahmaputra Board is also being modernised into a technology-driven river basin organisation with digital governance systems, data-based project monitoring and the revitalisation of research institutions such as the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute.
Act East Policy and Regional Trade
Officials noted that the government views the Brahmaputra as a strategic component of India’s Act East Policy, supporting regional trade and cross-border connectivity.
Inland waterways are increasingly being promoted as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to road and rail transport, helping reduce congestion, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
According to government data, cargo movement on national waterways has grown from 18 million metric tonnes in 2014 to more than 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26, underscoring the sector’s expanding role in India’s logistics network.
Future Developments
Planned initiatives for the Northeast include the construction of 79 community jetties, expansion of facilities at Dibrugarh and Pandu, customs and immigration infrastructure at river ports, procurement of dredgers and survey vessels, and the introduction of urban water transport systems and cruise terminals in Assam.
Officials acknowledged that challenges such as heavy sediment loads, shifting river channels and recurring floods remain significant, requiring a scientific and integrated approach to river basin management.
The meeting was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary, along with ministers from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura, as well as senior officials and experts from the region.
