CM Dr. Sarma along with Union Minister Sonowal inaugurates 2nd meeting of Inland Water Development Council

Requests Union Minister to announce scheme for providing dredgers to Assam

Waterways has potential to complement India’s commitment to climate change initiatives and cutting down carbon emissions to zero: CM

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2^nd meeting of Inland Waterways Development Council at Kaziranga which saw inauguration, launch and announcement of projects worth Rs. 1405.26 crore.

It may be noted that the Inland Water Transport projects important for Assam are- refurbishment of Heritage Building, Dibrugarh,  development of tourist jetties at Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, Silghat and Guijan, Regional Centre of Excellence (RcoE), Dibrugarh to create an ecosystem to develop trained manpower for IWT Sector in North East Region and encourage innovations in the sector, link road between Pandu Ship Repair Facility to Pandu Port (length approx. 500 m), design, construction, supply, testing and commissioning of 12 vessels, and one survey vessel for NW-16 for Barak valley region among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma while extending his gratitude to Union Minister Sonowal for giving Assam an opportunity to host the meeting, said that the move aligns with the Centre’s Act East Policy and Prime Minister’s keen interests in the development of Assam and other North Eastern states. Dr. Sarma said that the inauguration, launch and announcements of the IWT projects also carry forward the vision of PM’s ‘Transformation through Transportation’.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma also said that the meeting and its outcome along with the new projects would help in revitalizing Assam’s waterways to drive economic growth in North East and beyond. He on the occasion also requested Union Minister Sonowal to use his ministry in taking up scheme for Assam to be funded by both the Central and State government for procuring at least 30 dredgers for the state of Assam. The dredgers, the Chief Minister said that would help in enhancing transportation and flood management and mitigation. 

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma during his speech also said that waterways sector should be treated with the same importance as roads, aviation and railways. Stating that waterways is affordable and environmentally friendly, Dr. Sarma said that the travelling by waterways provides an opportunity to experience the true beauty of nature. He said that corresponding to the commitment of India towards climate change initiatives and cutting down carbon emissions to zero, waterways transportation needs to be encouraged and promoted. He also said that if 30 per cent of the total volume of transport, can be shifted to waterways, India can perform very significantly to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Civilizations have intrinsic relations with rivers as the Chief Minister said that the use of waterways is very ancient and closely. However, with time, the efficacy of other modes of transport has become very vital. He however, said that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister the use of waterways has become intense as a series of steps have been taken to revamp the sector which redefined the role of waterways in building Viksit Bharat.

Speaking on the Kaziranga National Park, the Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that park has earned rare distinction of being the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and the biodiversity hotspot. The park has also attracted unprecedented footfalls of the record number of tourists especially after the visit and overnight stay of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the poaching in Kaziranga after 2016 has come down to zero in 2024, which is itself, a distinction of the conservation initiative of the park.

The meeting was attended among others by Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Ports Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur and ministers and senior from 19 states and 3 union territories.

The Chief Minister during his visit to Kaziranga, also paid a visit to a flower festival and spent some memorable moments at the flower festival at Kohora. Organized by Golaghat district and Bokakhat Co-district administrations ahead of the Bhogali Bihu, the festival beautifully showcased Assam’s natural beauty. Dr. Sarma extended his heartfelt gratitude to the organizers and SHG members for crafting such a beautiful event amidst the serene charm of Kaziranga. 

On his way back from Kaziranga, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma also dropped by at a local Bhogali Utsav organized by the people of Raha. He also saw and appreciated the artistically crafted ‘Bhela Ghar’ designed and made by Bhagaban Senapati at Amonikhali village. He also witnessed the cultural performances and relished the Bhogali delicacies.