Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday inaugurated an Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) on the Brahmaputra river at Jogighopa in Assam's Bongaigaon district, a key infrastructure project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and strengthening trade ties with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Dedicating the terminal to the nation, Sonowal highlighted its strategic importance in facilitating bilateral trade and boosting economic activities.
The ceremony was attended by Bhutan's Minister of Industries, Commerce and Employment Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, among other dignitaries.
"Marking the occasion, two ships and two barges carrying coal and chips were flagged off to Bangladesh by the Union minister," an official release stated.
The terminal is positioned 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from the India-Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati.
"This makes it crucial for our bilateral trade ties with Bangladesh and Bhutan. The Jogighopa terminal is also one of the declared Ports of Call under PIWT&T between India and Bangladesh," Sonowal said.
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The minister added that the terminal is expected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027, facilitating seamless movement of goods across borders.
During the inauguration, MV Padma Navigation-II, along with barges Ajay and Dikshu, departed carrying 110 metric tonnes of coal, while MV Trishul transported stone chips to Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in the region's inland waterway operations.
Sonowal emphasised the economic impact of the project, stating, "The IWT terminal at Jogighopa is set to transform the connectivity in the region and bolster our trilateral trade with Bhutan and Bangladesh. Its strategic position allows it to play the role of an economic multiplier for the region."
Constructed at a cost of over Rs 82 crore, the terminal is equipped with an RCC jetty and an RCC approach designed for Electric Level Luffing (ELL) cranes to handle cargo efficiently.
The facility also features essential infrastructure, including an administrative building, customs and immigration offices, a truck parking area, a covered storage area spanning 1,100 square metres with power backup, and an open storage space of 11,000 square metres.
The Jogighopa terminal forms part of the government’s broader push to develop inland water transport as an economical and sustainable mode of logistics, reducing transportation costs and fostering economic development in the northeastern region.
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