Lok Sabha updated on riverine infra with outlay of Rs.645.56cr
For comprehensive development of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, three projects with an estimated investment of Rs.1,010 crore have been approved by the Government https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
This update was given by Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 30 Nov.
The Assam Government’s 10 projects along with riverine infrastructure at various locations on the NW-2 on River Brahmaputra with total outlay of Rs.645.56 crore has received ‘in-principle’ approval https://www.globaltenders.com/.
The following inland waterway infrastructure has been developed on Brahmaputra River (NW-2), for cargo/passenger movement and river tourism.
12 floating terminals, 2 Multimodal Terminals at Pandu & Jogighopa and 2 permanent terminals at Bogibeel and Dhubri which arealso used for berthing of river cruise vessels https://ted.europa.eu/en/.
Fairway with required depth and width is also maintained for smooth plying of cruise vessels.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 19.05.2024 to take up the project of “Riverine based Religious Tourism Circuit in SPV framework” among Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL), Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited (ATDC), Directorate of IWT Assam (DIWT) and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
IWAI’s mandate is to develop National Waterways for the purpose of Shipping and navigation. Hence, there is no plan to develop water sports on or along River Brahmaputra https://www.nseindia.com/.
However, if a request is received from the State Government for development of fairway related to water sports, it can be considered under the central sector scheme for development of IWT infrastructure in NER State, the Minister said https://www.nseindia.com/.
The details of three projects are mentioned below:
Comprehensive Development of NW-2
· Sanctioned Cost – Rs.474.00 crore
· Total expenditure -Rs.378.60 crore
· Overall physical progress -79.87% till October 2024
Development of Approach Road from Pandu Port Terminal to NH-27 and Development of Ship Repair Facility at Pandu, Guwahati (Assam)
Sanctioned Cost – Rs.388.00 crore
· Total expenditure –Rs.235.44 crore
· Overall physical progress -60.68% till October 2024
Comprehensive Development of NW-16 & Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBP)
Sanctioned Cost – Rs.148.00 crore
· Total expenditure -Rs. 24.26 crore
· Overall physical progress -16.39% till October 2024
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has also approved Government of Assam’s proposal for construction of slipway at Majuli district in Assam on River Brahmaputra with outlay of Rs.96.60 crore for assistance under Sagarmala Scheme.
For development of tourist steel jetties at four locations – Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati & Guijan, the project has been assigned to Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL).
These are:
- Proposal for construction of slipway at Maya Ghat, Dhubri, Assam – Rs.96.60 crore.
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Ghagor, North Lakhimpur district in Assam – Rs.26 crore.
- Proposal for construction of slipway at Majuli district in Assam – Rs.96.60 crore.
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Bahari, Barpeta district in Assam – Rs. 91.20 crore
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Goalpara, Goalpara district – Rs. 92.06 crore
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Guijan, Tinsukia district in Assam – Rs.36.00 crore.
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Kurua , Darrang district in Assam – Rs.49.00 crore.
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Dhubri in Assam – Rs.72.10 crore.
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Disangmukh, Sibsagar district in Assam – Rs.40.00 crore.
- Proposal for construction of passenger terminal at Matmora, North Lakhimpur district in Assam – Rs.46.00 crore. Fiinews.com