The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has approved the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh district of Assam.
The proposed centre will serve as a dedicated hub for training, research and capacity building in the IWT sector.
The centre will have a training capacity of 5396 participants. This will address the acute shortage of skilled manpower in the Northeast by offering certified training programs aligned with the Inland Vessels Act 2021.
The IWAI Board has also approved setting up three tourist jetties in Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat and Guijan and one tourist-cum-cargo jetty in Neamati in Assam.
These jetties will help in Inland Water Transport development in the Northeast. They will address the growing demand for cargo and passenger and tourist movement by providing improved infrastructure and services in the region.
The IWAI Board also approved a proposal to develop a land parcel of approximately 2154 sq m in Fancy Bazar in Guwahati through the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation (IPRCL).
This building will also house the IWAI Guwahati Regional Office and the Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) office.
These will all offer better connectivity with regional and national tourist circuits through inland waterways.
These will help in stimulating economic growth through trade and tourism-related activities in the Northeastern region.