Minister Sudhangshu Das attends Voluntary Blood Donation Camp
IWAI to set up regional centre of excellence in Bogibeel, Assam to boost inland water transport
Jun 26, 2025In a major push to develop inland water transport (IWT) in the Northeast, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has approved the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, Assam. The decision was taken during the 198th Board Meeting of the IWAI held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The proposed centre will serve as a key hub for training, research, and capacity building in the IWT sector, with a training capacity of 5,396 participants. It will offer certified training programs in line with the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, addressing the critical shortage of skilled manpower in the region. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance operational capabilities and professional standards in the inland waterways sector across the Northeast.
In addition to the RCoE, the IWAI Board also approved several infrastructure development projects aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic activities through trade and tourism in Assam.
These include the construction of three tourist jetties at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, and Guijan, and a tourist-cum-cargo jetty at Neamati. These facilities will cater to the increasing demand for passenger and tourist transport, while also supporting cargo movement across the state.
Further, a proposal to develop a land parcel of approximately 2,154 square metres in Fancy Bazar, Guwahati, has also been approved. The project will be implemented through the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL), and is aimed at expanding IWT infrastructure within the city.
These measures are expected to improve regional and national connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainable tourism and trade in the Northeast.
The IWAI’s renewed focus on Assam underlines the government’s broader commitment to harnessing the potential of India’s inland waterways, especially in remote and underdeveloped regions.
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