Centre To Invest Rs. 4,800 Crore To Boost Assam’s Waterways: Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Wednesday that the Centre will invest Rs. 4,800 crore over the next five years to enhance waterways and related infrastructure in Assam. The announcement was made during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit.

"I want to announce that in the next five years, Rs. 4,800 crore will be spent by my ministry in Assam," Sonowal stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to bolstering the state's maritime infrastructure.

The allocated funds will be utilized for multiple developmental projects, including the establishment of a ship repair facility, construction of alternate roads for ports, and the development of terminals. Additionally, Sonowal revealed that a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Education will be set up in Assam, which will train and provide 5,000 skilled youth to the shipping industry annually.

The minister emphasized the importance of waterways in economic growth, stating that the sector has grown significantly since the BJP-led government took charge in 2014. He also reaffirmed India's goal to become a top maritime nation by 2030 and rank among the world's top five shipbuilding countries.

The announcement marks a major step towards strengthening Assam's waterways infrastructure and enhancing the state's role in India's maritime growth strategy.

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