Guwahati: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Friday inaugurated three major inland waterways infrastructure projects on National Waterway-2 (NW-2) along the Brahmaputra, highlighting what he termed a balanced vision of “Vikas and Virasat” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The projects include the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel, the Customs and Immigration Complex at Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in Dibrugarh.
The programme, held at Chowkidingee Field, was attended by Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, Public Works Minister Jogen Mohan, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Borah, MP Rameswar Teli, and MLAs Terash Gowalla, Chakradhar Gogoi, Binod Hazarika, Ponakan Baruah, Taranga Gogoi, Sanjoy Kishan and Bhaskar Sharma. Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), and IWAI Chairman Sunil Paliwal were also present along with other senior officials.
Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the projects reflect a governance model that seeks rapid development without compromising cultural identity.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are moving ahead with a clear vision of Vikas and Virasat. We are striving toward progress and economic development while preserving our roots, our heritage and our culture. The Brahmaputra is not just a river; it is our lifeline, our history and our future,” he said.
Sonowal noted that the newly inaugurated infrastructure will strengthen logistics, enhance passenger movement and unlock fresh opportunities for trade and tourism in the Northeast.
The Bogibeel Customs and Immigration Complex has been developed as part of a modern tourist-cum-cargo terminal integrating customs, immigration and IWAI administrative functions within a single facility. It includes dedicated arrival and departure halls, cargo storage areas, administrative blocks, staff amenities and integrated security systems. The complex is expected to improve operational efficiency along NW-2 and facilitate trade under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.
Similarly, the Dhubri Customs and Immigration Complex is designed to enhance regulatory oversight and boost export-import operations in western Assam, positioning the town as a strategic gateway for inland water transport and cross-border commerce with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The renovated IWAI Heritage Building in Dibrugarh combines restoration of architectural features with upgraded operational infrastructure. Officials said it will serve IWAI’s administrative requirements on NW-2 while also contributing to riverine tourism and preserving the region’s architectural legacy.
Taking a swipe at previous governments, Sonowal said the Brahmaputra had remained underutilised for decades.
“For six decades, our most precious asset — the mighty Brahmaputra — was neglected and underutilised despite its immense potential to transform the economy of Assam and the entire Northeast. Today, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are reclaiming the Brahmaputra as a national growth engine, strengthening connectivity, empowering local communities, boosting trade and tourism, and building a future where development flows as powerfully and purposefully as this great river itself,” he said.
Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, 20 rivers in the Northeast have been declared National Waterways. Among them, the Brahmaputra (NW-2), Barak (NW-16), Dhansiri (NW-31) and Kopili (NW-57) are being actively developed.
The projects are expected to reduce logistics costs, strengthen cross-border trade, improve passenger and cargo movement, and reinforce the Brahmaputra’s role as a dependable and sustainable economic corridor for the Northeast.