The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for waterway development under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), has signed two major Memoranda of Understanding aimed at strengthening Assam’s inland water transport network and industrial logistics. The MoUs — one with Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) and another with the Government of Assam — seek to enhance cargo and passenger movement across the state’s extensive river systems, supporting sustainable connectivity and regional economic growth. Ahead of the signing, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a comprehensive review of projects in Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, covering both ongoing and Central Sector Scheme (CSS) initiatives. The first MoU between IWAI and APL focuses on transporting methanol and formalin via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route and National Waterways. The initiative will support exports from IWAI jetties at Bogibeel, Pandu and Jogighopa to Bangladesh and Southeast Asia, while strengthening domestic supply chains through National Waterways-1 and 2. The project aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and is expected to significantly boost Assam’s industrial and export capacity. APL currently produces 0.198 million tonnes of methanol and 0.115 million tonnes of formalin annually. The initiative involves a total investment of about Rs 4 billion, covering tanker vessels and supporting infrastructure. IWAI will provide technical and operational support, including terminal facilities, navigation assistance, bunkering, firefighting systems and development of ten flat-bottom tanker barges with capacities of 500–1,000 tonnes. APL will coordinate logistics, vessel operations and statutory clearances. The second MoU, with the Assam Government, proposes the development of an Urban Water Transport (UWT) system — or Water Metro — in Tezpur, Guwahati and Dibrugarh. Designed to deliver sustainable, seamless mobility along the Brahmaputra, it will integrate water routes with roads, rail and bus services. Supported by electric-hybrid boats, the project will develop fairways, navigation aids and modern passenger terminals. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd is conducting a feasibility study. The tentative project cost is around Rs 10 billion, excluding land. During the review meeting held at the Maritime Skill Development Centre, officials assessed fifteen primary projects and ten CSS projects across the Northeast. Two new CSS proposals for Arunachal Pradesh and Assam were discussed, alongside approval for a concept study on an all-weather approach road at Bogibeel to improve access to the cargo-cum-tourist terminal. IWAI also signed several additional MoUs to strengthen connectivity and tourism: Heritage River Journeys Pvt Ltd: An MoU worth Rs 5 billion to develop new cruise vessels and expand river-cruise tourism on national waterways. DGLL: An MoU to enhance navigation safety and promote tourism on National Waterway-2 through river lighthouses at Bogibeel, Silghat, Biswanath Ghat and Pandu. Rhenus Logistics: A landmark Rs 10 billion MoU to induct modern tug-barges on the Ganga and Brahmaputra, boosting cargo-handling capacity. Cruise terminals: Rs 2.99 billion earmarked for terminals at Neamati, Silghat, Biswanath Ghat and Guijan. Regional Centre of Excellence: A Rs 1.88 billion project in Dibrugarh, and a Rs 550 million development plan for a key land parcel in Guwahati. Sonowal said these agreements advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the Northeast into a hub of inland waterway connectivity and industrial opportunity. He highlighted that IWAI aims to invest over Rs 50 billion in the region’s water-transport infrastructure in the coming years, positioning rivers as engines of economic resurgence. IWAI also reported strong progress in states across the Northeast: Mizoram: Studies underway for IWT infrastructure on the Tlawng and Chhimtuipui rivers; construction has begun on a Rs 98.2 million project on the Khawthlangtuipui–Tuichawng stretch. Nagaland: DPRs underway for Doyang Lake and water-tourism development at Noune and Shilloi lakes. Manipur: Feasibility and DPR work proposed for IWT on the Barak, Imphal and Nambul rivers. Meghalaya: DPRs for Umiam Lake and the Umngot River (NW-106). Tripura: A Rs 245.3 million project to link the Gumti River with the Meghna system in Bangladesh; studies ongoing for a cruise service on Dumbur Lake. Arunachal Pradesh: A proposal for IWT infrastructure on the Siang River, including terminals, floating jetties, fairway development and navigation aids. Sonowal said the Northeast is entering “a new era of connectivity and economic resurgence powered by the revival of our mighty rivers”, emphasising that inland waterways are becoming a lifeline of opportunity for the region.