In a significant move to enhance Nagaland’s waterways potential, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled a series of initiatives during the Stakeholder’s Conference held in Dimapur, Nagaland on July 15. Joined by Nagaland’s Chief Minister, Shri Neiphiu Rio, the minister announced plans to develop the Tizu Zunki (National Waterways 101) through a collaborative study between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Nagaland Transport Department to assess its navigation feasibility.
Additionally, the conference saw the announcement of initiatives aimed at unlocking the tourism potential of Doyang River Lake. Plans include the construction of community jetties and a feasibility study for Ro-Pax ferries, which are expected to boost the state’s tourism industry.
The conference, organised by the IWAI, the nodal agency under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), was attended by key dignitaries including Deputy Chief Minister Shri Yanthungo Patton, Tourism Minister Shri Temjen Imna Along, MPs S S Jamir and Phangnon Konyak, several MLAs, and senior officials from both the central and state governments.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the economic, sustainable, and efficient advantages of waterways transportation. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prioritisation of inland waterways as a viable alternative for developing a robust transportation network in India. Sonowal reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging the Northeast’s rich water resources to accelerate India’s growth trajectory towards becoming one of the world’s top five economies.
Shri Sonowal called on stakeholders, including transporters, EXIM traders, business interests, and vessel owners, to seize the opportunities presented by the revamped waterways. He also encouraged the region’s youth to train in maritime skills at the Maritime Skill Development Centre, opening up employment opportunities in the marine sector.
The IWAI’s initiatives in Nagaland include the development of NW 101 from Longmatra to Avangkhu, with a feasibility study focusing on fairway development, navigational aids, terminal infrastructure, skill development, and vessel procurement.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways is advancing multiple projects in the region, such as the Kaladaan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and linking NW 2 and NW 16 with the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). The Tizu River’s connectivity to the Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers provides an alternative route for cargo movement from Northeast India to international trade routes via the Andaman Sea.
These initiatives are set to significantly enhance Nagaland’s waterways, promoting economic growth and regional development.
