Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa on Tuesday, marking a milestone in India’s inland water transport network. To commemorate the occasion, a vessel with two barges—MV Trishul, accompanied by Barges Ajay and Dikshu—was flagged off, carrying 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips to Bangladesh. The foundation stone for the terminal was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2021.
Prime Minister Modi hailed the inauguration as a significant advancement in India’s infrastructure and a boost to inland waterways. In a post on X, he described it as “a noteworthy addition in our quest for improving infrastructure as well as encouraging inland waterways for progress and prosperity.”
Strategic Location and Economic Impact
The newly inaugurated terminal in Jogighopa is strategically located and connected to the Multi-Modal Logistics Park. It is expected to serve as an international port of call for Bhutan and Bangladesh, facilitating seamless cargo movement across Assam and the Northeast region. The event was attended by Bhutan’s Minister of Finance, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, underscoring the terminal’s regional significance.
“The IWT terminal at Jogighopa is set to transform connectivity in the region and bolster our trilateral trade with Bhutan and Bangladesh. Its strategic position allows it to act as an economic multiplier for the region, a testament to PM Narendra Modi’s doctrine of ‘Neighbourhood First,’” said Sonowal.
India’s IWT sector has seen remarkable growth over the past decade. The number of operational national waterways has surged by 767%, while cargo handling has increased by 727%. Additionally, multimodal terminals have expanded by 62%, and the budget allocation for inland waterways has grown by 860%. Cargo traffic on national waterways has witnessed an exponential rise, increasing from 18 million tonnes a decade ago to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 22%.
Jogighopa Terminal: Infrastructure and Capacity
The Jogighopa terminal plays a crucial role in India’s trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan. It is located 91 km from Gelephu (Bhutan), 108 km from the Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati. Additionally, it serves as a designated Port of Call under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T) agreement with Bangladesh. By 2027, the terminal is projected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Developed at a cost of over ₹82 crore, the terminal includes essential facilities such as administrative and customs offices, immigration services, truck parking, a 1,100 sqm covered storage area with backup power, and an 11,000 sqm open storage area.
Growth in River Cruise Tourism
Beyond cargo transportation, India’s inland waterways are also driving the growth of tourism. The MV Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest river cruise, demonstrated the potential of cruise tourism by traversing 27 river systems across five states and two countries. Over the past decade, the river cruise tourism sector has expanded significantly, with the number of river cruise vessels increasing from just three in 2013-14 to 25 in 2023-24.
A world-class river cruise terminal is being developed in Guwahati to enhance passenger experiences. Additionally, four dedicated river cruise terminals at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are under development, offering modern amenities and offshore facilities.
“The development of inland waterways holds great promise for transforming India’s logistics sector. By leveraging our extensive network of rivers and water bodies, we can create a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient mode of transportation for goods,” Sonowal added.
Boost to Infrastructure and Legislative Reforms
The government has undertaken major initiatives to expand and modernize India’s waterways. The ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ aims to establish 10 sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas over the next five years. This initiative is expected to double cruise calls and passenger numbers, strengthen regional alliances, and significantly boost sea and river cruise tourism by 2029.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the government has enacted groundbreaking legislations like the National Waterways Act, 2016, and the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, to empower and enhance the inland waterways transportation ecosystem for both cargo and passenger traffic,” Sonowal said.
Urban Water Transport and the Water Metro Model
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has outlined plans to strengthen urban water transport by developing water metro projects in 18 cities across 12 states, including Guwahati. This initiative aims to replicate the success of the Kochi Water Metro model, providing efficient and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
