The completion of crucial projects in the Northeast by January 2024 has been designated as a top priority by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush. Leading a meeting that included officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), and Ministry of Ayush (MoA), he conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing projects in the region. In the course of the review, senior officials from MoPSW and MoA presented updates on projects in the Northeast. A substantial amount exceeding Rs 11 billion was allocated for the development of 25 inland waterway projects in the region, with Rs 8.5 billion specifically earmarked for 15 projects in Assam. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal instructed officials to expedite the completion of seven floating jetties at Jogighopa, Pandu, Biswanath, Nimati, Bindhakata, Uriamghat, and Sadiya. Additionally, the construction of permanent jetties at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh and the renovation of the Jetty at Badarpur in Karimganj were highlighted for completion. The ongoing construction of a permanent jetty in Sonamura, Tripura, is also expected to conclude soon. The Minister also scrutinised the progress of 15 floating jetties in Brahmaputra and 15 jetties in Barak river. To ensure unobstructed ship passage, Sarbananda Sonowal directed IWAI officials to regularly dredge 88 identified shallow patches in Brahmaputra. This initiative aims to sustain the recent surge in cargo and tourist jetties. Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised, ?Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the ministries of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush have been working towards realising rich opportunities in Northeast India to make it the engine of India?s economic growth. Today, we had a very fruitful review meeting with the top officials of both the ministries regarding the progress of critical projects in the Northeast. Taking Modi ji?s vision of Transformation via Transportation forward, we have identified critical projects in the region that will be operational by January 2024. We have identified the projects and set a timeframe for the completion of each project by this deadline. Out of the six projects in inland waterways, the permanent jetty at Bogibeel, permanent jetty at Sonamura in Tripura, floating jetty at Bogibeel and Pandu, and renovations of the jetty at Badarpur & Karimganj will be completed. We are committed to the launch of these projects, worth Rs 1.5 billion, by January 2024.? Simultaneously, the Ministry of Ayush is actively engaged in projects worth Rs 2.86 billion across the Northeast. Minister Sonowal urged Ayush officials to accelerate the pace of these projects. The foundation stone-laying ceremony for a Yoga & Naturopathy hospital in Dibrugarh and the new building of the Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy (RRIH) & Integrated Ayush Wellness Centre in Guwahati, both valued at Rs 806.6 million and Rs 343.3 million respectively, is scheduled for January 2024. The Minister also directed the completion of G+3 and G+2 buildings at Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Guwahati, with an investment of Rs 104.5 million, to be inaugurated by December 2023. Sonowal stated, ?Ayush is a major area of interest for our government. The Northeast has a rich potential to do much more in this sector. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji, we have been able to identify and start our work on multiple projects. Scaling up and speeding up is important to realise the optimum potential of Ayush sector in the Northeast. Out of at least 9 construction projects currently undergoing in the region, we expect concrete movement in at least 3 projects; i.e., the inauguration of the expansion at CARI, Guwahati, foundation stone at Yoga & Naturopathy hospital in Dibrugarh, and the foundation stone of the permanent complex of Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy & Integrated Ayush centre at Azara in Guwahati by January 2024.?