Union Ports, Shipping & Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced major initiatives to harness the waterways potential of Nagaland during the Stakeholder’s Conference held on July 15.
Joined by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Sonowal revealed plans to develop Tizu Zunki (National Waterways 101). The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Nagaland Transport Department will collaborate to assess navigation feasibility.
Additionally, they announced initiatives to enhance the tourism potential of Doyang River Lake with community jetties and feasibility studies for Ro Pax ferries, aiming to boost the State’s tourism.
The announcements were made during an interactive session organised by the IWAI, the Central Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).
Nagaland is set to harness the power of waterways!
Had a great meeting with stakeholders of @IWAI_ShipMin at Dimapur, Nagaland in presence of Hon’ble CM Shri @Neiphiu_Rio ji, Hon’ble Dy CM Shri @YanthungoPatton ji, Hon’ble Minister Shri @AlongImna ji, Hon’ble MPs Shri S… pic.twitter.com/4huEKV6Wjk
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 15, 2024
In the conference, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along, MP of Lok Sabha SS Jamir, MP of Rajya Sabha Phangnon Konyak, MLA & Advisor M Yanthan, MLA & Advisor Transport & Technical Education Temjenmenba, MLA & Advisor SK Yimchunger, MLAs ZN Nyuthe and CK Santam, IWAI Vice Chairman Sunil Singh, and other senior officials from both the Centre and the Nagaland Government took part.
Sonowal highlighted the importance of waterways as an economical, sustainable, and efficient transportation mode. He asserted on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to developing inland waterways as a viable transportation alternative.
Union Minister MoPSW, Shri @sarbanandsonwal, addresses Stakeholder Conference on Inland Waterways in the NE Region. He emphasized that out of 111 National Waterways, NW-101 stands out as a key player in boosting the economy & connectivity and has immense potential for North East. pic.twitter.com/dujnITLk92
— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) July 15, 2024
Sonowal stated, “Under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi, our government is working towards leveraging our rich resources to propel Bharat into becoming one of the world’s top five economies within a decade. The Northeast plays a crucial role in this vision as the growth engine of Bharat. The region’s complex waterways offer a tremendous opportunity to contribute to nation-building.”
Sonowal and Rio urged the region’s youth to pursue maritime skills training at the Maritime Skill Development Centre to capitalise on marine sector employment opportunities. In Nagaland, NW 101 runs from Longmatra towards Avangkhu, where the IWAI will conduct feasibility studies focusing on fairway development, navigational aids, terminal infrastructure, skill development, and vessel procurement.
Wonderful evening spent with great hospitality by Nagaland Hon’ble Dy CM Shri @YanthungoPatton ji and family at Dimapur. @AlongImna @anilkantony pic.twitter.com/izAJqSCY5a
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 15, 2024
The MoPSW, through the IWAI, is actively working on multiple projects to empower and develop the region’s waterways, including the Kaladaan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and linking NW 2 and NW 16 with the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). They are also developing fairways on IBPR and declaring Ports of Call.
Tizu River, a vital waterway in Nagaland, flows into the Chindwin River (the third-largest tributary of the Irrawaddy River) in Myanmar. The Chindwin River merges with the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar’s largest river, which drains into the Andaman Sea. This connection provides an alternative route for cargo movement from the Northeast to international trade routes, enhancing economic opportunities.
