Sarbananda Sonowal opens School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication

AGARTALA: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Tripura's Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, inaugurated the School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication here on Wednesday.

The school will enable the rich pool of talent of the region to become world class experts in the transportation and logistics sector. In order to unlock the promised economic potential of the North-East, the school will enable the innate capacity of human resources along our opulent waterways, said Sonowal.

The Centre for Logistics, Communication and Waterways would facilitate in conducting studies/research, training, workshops/ seminars for stakeholders like businesses, exporters/importers, Chambers of Commerce and Industries, local entrepreneurs, tourist operators etc. It has been set up under State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (SIPARD). SIPARD is an autonomous body funded by the Government of Tripura and partially by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

Speaking on the potential of waterways as an avenue of economic progress of the North-East, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the government has been taking all the necessary steps to power the engine of the new India; i.e., our beautiful North-East, reach its maximum potential. As per Modi ji's vision, our Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has been working towards reviving our complex inland waterways system in order to propel cargo and passenger transport in the region. Apart from being a swift, clean and affordable means of transport, this opens a new ray of hope for growth of trade with the international market. The deeper, longer and wider network inland waterways will not only decongest and reduce carbon footprints, but has the potential to generate significant economic activities and boost international trade in the region".

In order to comprehensively develop NW 16 (Barak) and the IBP Routes 5 & 6 and 9 & 10, and for smooth connectivity within and from the region, the investment for the purpose has now been enhanced to Rs 148 crore till 2024-25. Under the PM Gati Shakti initiative, multimodal connectivity, Tripura is to be connected through IBP route 9 & 10 with Kolkata/Haldia Port and then on to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh & Sittwe Port in Myanmar.

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