10 waterways projects on the Brahmaputra river
Context
Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has approved the Government of Assam’s proposal for enhancing 10 waterways projects on the Brahmaputra river.
- These projects aim to develop riverine infrastructure and improve inland water transport across the National Waterway-2 (NW-2).
Relevance:
GS-02 GS-01 (Government policies and intervention, Geography)
What is the project about?
- The initiative encompasses the development of 10 waterways, the construction of passenger terminals, slipways, and tourist jetties, as well as improving cargo and passenger movement infrastructure.
- The total approved outlay is ₹645.56 crore, with in principle approval from the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance.
- The major highlights include:
- Terminals and Floating Infrastructure: 12 floating terminals, 2 multimodal terminals at Pandu and Jogighopa, and 2 permanent terminals at Bogibeel and Dhubri.
- Tourism Push: A religious tourism circuit connecting seven prominent temples through waterways. Vessels will operate on a hop-on-hop-off basis, enhancing the cultural and spiritual tourism experience.
- Comprehensive River Development: Three core projects worth ₹1010 crore focus on NW-2, approach roads, ship repair facilities, and Indo-Bangladesh protocol routes.
- Specific efforts include constructing floating tourist jetties at Bogibeel and Pandu, steel jetties at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, and other locations, and a slipway in Majuli District for ₹96.60 crore.
- Overall, the physical progress of these projects ranges from 60% to 85%, ensuring that substantial development is already underway.
What is the significance of this?
- The project is poised to revolutionise transport and tourism along the Brahmaputra.
- It will promote eco-friendly waterways for cargo and passengers, reducing road traffic congestion.
- Enhancing riverine tourism can boost local economies and showcase Assam’s cultural heritage.
- The development of modern infrastructure like terminals and jetties will also facilitate trade and connectivity in Northeast India.
- Furthermore, the project aligns with India’s goal of leveraging inland waterways as an efficient and sustainable mode of transport.
Brahmaputra River
- It originates from the glaciers in the north of the Kailash ranges of the Himalayas and south of a lake called ‘Konggyu Tsho’.
- Brahmaputra traverses a distance of 2,900 km through four countries: Tibet (China), Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh before entering the Bay of Bengal.
- Source of the river: Kanglung Kang Glacier near the Kailash range at an elevation of 5,300 m, near Konggyu Tso Lake
Salient Features of Brahmaputra River
- The river system is on the landmass enclosed on the north by the Himalayas, on the east by the Patkai range of hills running along the Assam-Burma border, on the south by the Assam range of hills, and on the west by the Himalayas and the ridge.
- The Brahmaputra river system regions witness one of the heaviest rainfall patterns in the world, particularly the portions in Assam, and are prone to annual floods and riverbank erosion.
- Majuli, an island, also a district of Assam, is known as the oldest and largest inhabited riverine island of the world, recognised by UNESCO.
Way Forward
The focus should remain on timely completion of all projects while maintaining quality standards. Strengthening collaboration between state and central agencies is crucial for smooth execution. Enhanced public awareness and promotion of these developments can ensure maximum utilisation and long-term benefits.
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