Centre To Invest Rs 10 Bn More in Northeast Waterways

23 May 2025 CW Team

The central government will invest an additional Rs 10 billion in inland waterways projects in Assam and the Northeast in 2026, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday.

During a review meeting with senior officials from the ministry, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Public Works Department (PWD), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL), the minister assessed the progress of ongoing projects across the region.

Sonowal noted that over the past two years, the government has undertaken Rs 10 billion worth of projects, of which Rs 3 billion have been completed and Rs 7 billion are on track for completion by 2025.

He directed authorities to focus on developing advanced maritime skills among local youth to meet the growing demands of the inland water transport (IWT) sector.

The government is advancing major infrastructure initiatives along National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) and National Waterway 16 (Barak), including the construction of passenger vessels, terminals, and training facilities.

The minister also reviewed the proposed IWT project at Doyang Lake and evaluated the potential of Noune and Shilloi lakes in Nagaland for tourism and water sports.

Feasibility studies are under way for IWT routes on the Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers in Mizoram, as well as on Umiam Lake and the Ummgot River (NW106) in Meghalaya.

Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to transforming the region into a maritime hub, Sonowal highlighted progress on Barak River projects, including dredging work and floating terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..