GUWAHATI, Feb 18 : Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday inaugurated an Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) in Assam’s Jogighopa by flagging off a ship MV Trishul with two barges carrying 110 metric tonnes of coal along with stone chips to Bangladesh.
The foundation stone for the terminal was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2021.
The terminal holds strategic importance as it is located at a distance of 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from Bangladesh border and 147 Km from Guwahati. This makes it crucial for bilateral trade ties with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The Jogighopa terminal is also one of the declared Ports of call under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T) between India and Bangladesh. By the year 2027, this terminal is expected to handle cargo of 1.1 million tonnes per annum, the minister said.
The MV Padma Navigation II ship along with Barges Ajay and Dikshu are carrying 110 Metric Tonnes of Coal, while MV Trishul is carrying Stone Chips to Bangladesh.
“Today marks a historic day for the waterways transportation sector in the country as we dedicate the IWT Terminal at Jogighopa to the people and to the nation. The waterways transportation has been undergoing a tremendous transformation propelling India’s logistics growth, propelling us towards PM (Narendra) Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat,” said the Minister.
The IWT terminal at Jogighopa is set to transform the connectivity in the region and bolster India’s trilateral trade with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
“Its strategic position allows it to play the role of an economic multiplier for the region, a testament to PM Narendra Modi’s doctrine of ‘Neighbourhood First.’” Sonowal, said.
Through strategic regional projects and agreements with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and others, India is diligently establishing itself as a pivotal waterway gateway for facilitating enhanced regional trade and seamless transport connectivity, thus contributing to the overall development and integration of South Asia, while ensuring the sustainability and vitality of the region’s economic landscape.
Built at a cost of over Rs 82 crores, the Jogighopa terminal has an RCC jetty with an RCC approach designed for Electric Level Luffing (ELL) crane for cargo handling.
The terminal also has infrastructural facilities such as administrative building, customs office building, immigration office, truck parking area, 1100 sqm covered storage area with power back up, and 11,000 sqm open storage.
Highlighting the role of inland waterways, Sonowal said, “The development of inland waterways holds great promise for transforming the logistics sector in India. By leveraging our extensive network of rivers and water bodies, we can create a sustainable, cost effective and efficient mode of transportation for goods.
The event was attended by Bhutan Minister for Industries Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Assam minister for Panchayat and Rural Development Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Bimal Borah, Minister of Industries & Commerce, Enterprises, Govt of Assam and others.
In the Northeast, projects such as Comprehensive Development of NW-2, Ship repair facility at Pandu, Bogibeel Terminal development, and last mile connectivity to Pandu are some of the projects which are currently in different stages of development.
With huge investments envisaged for development of North-Eastern waterways, it stands as a resounding testament to the critical role of these waterways in propelling economic growth and prosperity.
Operationalisation of the new IWT Terminal at Jogighopa will be a step in that direction, an official said.
(UNI)
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