World Bank to pump in Rs 1000 Crore for development of Inland waters in Assam

GUWAHATI: Assam transport minister, Chandra Mohan Patwary on Wednesday said that World Bank will pump in Rs 1000 Crore for development of inland water transport system in the state.

Patwary who was speaking at a workshop on ‘International Practices in Inland River Transport & Assam Inland Water Transport Projects (AIWTP)’ in Guwahati said that investments will be made for the development of river banks.

The minister said, ‘With the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries, Assam is blessed with immense water resources and we need to harness the resources. Following the Act east policy inland water channel to Bangladesh will be opened shortly which will be a major boost to trade and commerce in the region.”

The Minister stated that night navigation in Sadiya, Lakhimpur, Majuli and Guwahati will be introduced shortly.

Commissioner and Secretary, Transport Department, Ashutosh Agnihotri said that this project will infuse new lease of life into the inland water transport system in the state. “With the World Bank’s expertise and technology, it would be the key driver for economic prosperity of Assam.”

The World Bank team presented the practices of inland water transportation system of countries like Australia, Bangladesh, China, Singapore and Vietnam.