Reviving Assam's Waterways: A Historic Cargo Trial on River Kopili

In a landmark initiative to restore Assam's river-based trade and promote sustainable logistics, the National Waterway-57 on River Kopili saw its first-ever cargo trial run, as disclosed in an official statement. The cargo traveled from Govardhan Bridge, Kamrup, to Hatsingimari, South Samara, marking the resumption of riverine freight transport in Assam after more than ten years.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal acclaimed this development as a pivotal moment for Inland Waterways Transport in Assam and the broader Northeast. The MV VV Giri vessel, equipped with self-loading capacities, transported 300 metric tonnes of cement from Star Cement over a 300-kilometre journey spanning the Kopili and Brahmaputra Rivers, taking about 12 to 14 hours.

The project's significance was emphasized by Sonowal, who affirmed that over 1168 km of National Waterways in Assam are now operational. He emphasized the economic and environmental benefits, stating that shifting cargo movement to waterways not only alleviates road congestion but also supports riverine communities' prosperity while aligning with broader national growth initiatives.

(With inputs from agencies.)