The Union Government, led by PM Modi, will invest ₹5,000 crore in boosting the maritime and waterways infrastructure in the Northeast. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted key projects including Kaladan, inland ports, cruise tourism, and skill development for 50,000 youths, transforming the region into a strategic trade and connectivity hub.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday announced a ₹5,000 crore investment by the Centre in various maritime and inland waterways projects across the Northeastern region. The strategic initiatives are aimed at unlocking the trade, tourism, and employment potential of the region through enhanced connectivity, skill development, and modern infrastructure.
Speaking at a press conference, Sonowal said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has made landmark strides in modernizing India’s maritime sector, and the Northeast stands at the centre of this transformative agenda.
“Over the past 11 years, we’ve witnessed historic growth in port capacity, cargo handling, cruise tourism, and skill training. The Northeast is no longer landlocked — it is becoming a vibrant gateway to Southeast Asia,” said the Union Minister.
Boosting Maritime Jobs and Skill Training
One of the major highlights of the initiative is the training of 50,000 youth from the Northeast in maritime skills over the next decade. This includes the expansion of the Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati and the development of a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh with an investment of ₹200 crore. These institutions are projected to generate around 500 jobs annually.
“PM Modi has always stressed the importance of Yuva Shakti. Our vision is to train, enable, and empower youth from the region to gain world-class maritime skills. The centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will be the backbone of this transformation,” said Sonowal.
Expanding Inland Waterways Infrastructure
The Ministry has already undertaken projects worth ₹1,000 crore in the inland waterways sector of the Northeast, with ₹300 crore worth of work completed and another ₹700 crore expected to be finished by 2025.
Key developments include permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj, and Badarpur, year-round fairway dredging, construction of approach roads to Pandu Port, and restoration of historic sites in Dibrugarh. Tourist jetties worth ₹299 crore are also under construction, along with plans for lighthouses at strategic points like Bogibeel, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat, and Pandu.
Feasibility studies for cruise tourism in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh have been completed, and cruise vessels are being procured under central schemes to support regional tourism.
For the states of Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, efforts are underway to expand inland water transport (IWT) and promote river-based tourism, opening up new avenues for local businesses and communities.
Strategic Connectivity: Kaladan and IBPR
Sonowal reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to completing the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), calling it a cornerstone of India’s strategic engagement with Southeast Asia. The project, which will connect Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in Myanmar via inland and coastal waterways, is set to be fully operational by 2027.
“The Kaladan project, born out of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty, is a game changer for the Northeast. It opens direct access to international sea routes, connecting India not only to Myanmar but also to Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal,” the Minister said.
Another milestone is the operationalisation of the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR), providing alternate trade routes bypassing the congested Siliguri Corridor and enabling smoother logistics and trade with Bangladesh and Southeast Asia.
India’s Global Maritime Push
Sonowal also highlighted India’s growing prominence in the global maritime sector. “Our ports are now globally competitive. Nine Indian ports rank in the World Bank’s top 100 port performance index, with Visakhapatnam Port making it to the top 20,” he noted.
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India’s push for green shipping, digital port reforms, and cruise tourism is reshaping the country’s coastal economy. The Centre’s vision aligns with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), Act East Policy, and the Blue Economy roadmap.
“This investment in the Northeast is not just about infrastructure. It is about creating opportunities, boosting connectivity, and ensuring inclusive development that leaves no region behind,” concluded Sonowal.
