Assam Inland Waterways: IWAI MoUs for Petrochem & Water Metro

• IWAI signed MoUs to boost Assam’s cargo movement and passenger transport, including a pact with Assam Petro-Chemicals for moving Methanol and Formalin via waterways
• A second MoU with the Assam government will develop an Urban Water Transport “Water Metro” system in Tezpur, Guwahati, and Dibrugarh
• Additional agreements strengthen cruise tourism, river navigation safety, and logistics capacity across the Northeast

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has signed two significant MoUs to enhance inland water transport and industrial logistics in Assam.

The first MoU, which was signed with Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL), is geared toward the transportation of Methanol and Formalin through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route and National Waterways. This project aligns with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, while increasing exports from IWAI terminals in Bogibeel, Pandu and Jogighopa to Bangladesh and Southeast Asia.

IWAI advances Assam Inland Waterways with a Water Metro system, enhancing Petrochemical Transport, River Transport India, Inland Water Transport Assam, and Smart Mobility Assam.

APL is an established manufacturer of Methanol and Formalin and will benefit from low-cost, sustainable bulk transportation. The project includes a ₹400-crore investment into vessel tankers, terminal logistics, and navigation support, which includes technical assistance from IWAI in the development of ten (10) flat-bottom barges.

The agreement introduced with the Government of Assam intends to establish an Urban Water Transport system or Water Metro in Tezpur, Guwahati, and Dibrugarh to enhance passenger transportation.

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A review meeting was held recently under Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to look into the developments of 15 projects that are under implementation, which included a brief update on several Central Sector Scheme activities for all northeastern states concerning inland water transport and new project proposals for Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

He stated, “These MoUs mark a major step forward in realizing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose leadership continues to transform the Northeast into a hub of inland waterway connectivity and industrial opportunity. We remain firmly anchored in our intent to develop the inland waterways ecosystem in the region for optimum utilization and explore possibilities and convert them into tangible opportunities that drive growth, trade, and sustainability”.

The IWAI signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Heritage River Journeys for cruise tourism development on national waterways, valued at ₹500 crore, and another with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships for the establishment of river lighthouses on NW-2 to enhance safe navigation of national waterways.

A notable Memorandum of Understanding worth ₹1,000 crore was also signed with Rhenus Logistics for the establishment of state of the art tug-barges on the Ganga and Brahmaputra.

The IWAI is initiating a number of important IWT infrastructure projects in Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh to support regional connectivity, tourism and river transport.