India: IWAI Keeps Brahmaputra Waterways Open

The Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan informed the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply to a question that the Dhubri to Sadiya stretch of River Brahmaputra in Assam of about 891 kms has been declared as National Waterway in the year 1988.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is developing and maintaining various inland water transport infrastructure on this stretch which are namely:

– Navigational channel with targeted depth and width in various stretches of the waterway;

– Navigational aids for day and night navigation; and

– Fixed and floating terminals at different locations to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo.

The Minister further stated that different types of vessels are already plying on this waterway carrying cargo including over dimensional cargo. Besides, some inland cruise vessels carrying tourists also ply on the waterway from time to time.

[mappress]

Press Release, August 28, 2012