Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said necessary steps are being taken to once again make Dibrugarh as a major river port of the country.
Union minister Sonowal said this while visiting the site for the proposed Cargo Terminal, Tourist Jetty and River Front Development projects near Bogibeel Bridge in Dibrugarh.
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Sonowal held a meeting with stakeholders on the occasion to commence fast implementation of the works.
A major river port in colonial times, Dibrugarh was an important contributor to India’s economic growth.
“The opportunities provided by PM Narendra Modi in developing the NW 2 (Brahmaputra) and NW 16 (Barak) is leveraging our connectivity with Bangladesh and giving us the route to reach markets of the world,” Sonowal said.
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“We are hence establishing MMLPs and developing river ports in various parts of Assam. In Dibrugarh, a port for cargo and passengers will be built,” Sonowal added.
He added that the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, the inland water transport department of Assam government and North East Frontier Railway are working together to develop the area near the Bogibeel Bridge.
“PM Narendra Modi ji’s Act East Policy has transformed the Northeast into a connectivity hub. Led by the PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan, an integrated plan for speeding up cargo movement on the river Brahmaputra is being envisaged,” Sonowal said.
“It will open up employment avenues and provide global market access to local products,” he added.
Sonowal also spoke on how improved connectivity is bringing a sea change in the lives of the people, giving youths and businesses of the region to reach out to domestic as well as international markets, realising the ideal of ‘Local for Global’.
IWAI member (technical) Ashutosh Gautam; principal commissioner (transport), Assam, KK Dwivedi; NF Railway general manager Anshul Gupta, other officials and dignitaries were present on the occasion.