In a significant milestone for India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector, the tug Ram Prasad Bismil, accompanied by dumb barges APJ Abdul Kalam and Kalpana Chawla, has successfully reached the zero point along the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route on National Waterway-2 (NW-2) in Assam.
The convoy was carrying 1,515.30 metric tonnes of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag from MMT Haldia in West Bengal to Pandu in Assam, marking yet another successful demonstration of cargo movement through India’s vital riverine network.
The journey highlights the growing efficiency and reliability of India’s inland waterways as a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation. NW-2, which runs along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, plays a critical role in connecting the Northeast to the rest of the country via the IBP route through Bangladesh.
Industry experts note that such successful voyages not only reduce logistics costs but also open new possibilities for cargo diversification, regional trade enhancement, and reduced road congestion. The operation further underscores the synergy between India and Bangladesh in leveraging shared waterways for economic growth.
This achievement reaffirms the government’s vision of expanding the IWT ecosystem and promoting sustainable, multimodal logistics solutions across the country.