Context: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa, Assam, located along the Brahmaputra River. This new terminal is part of efforts to enhance logistics and connectivity in Eastern India, and strengthen trilateral trade between India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

About

• The terminal will serve as a major trade hub, facilitating better logistics and connectivity in the region.

• It aims to significantly improve trade flow between the three nations, particularly through the Bharatmala Programme and the Dalu-Tura-Goalpara-Gelephu multimodal trade route.

• Strategic Location: The terminal is situated 108 km from the Bangladesh border and 147 km from Guwahati via Inland Water Transport (IWT).

• It is located just 91 km from Gelephu, Bhutan, where a modern city is under development.

• The terminal is strategically linked to Bangladesh and other parts of India via the IBP (Indian-Bangladesh Protocol) route, connecting through Kolkata/Haldia.

Broader Growth in Inland Waterways Sector

• The IWT (Inland Water Transport) sector has seen a phenomenal rise over the past decade:

• A 767% increase in the number of operational national waterways.

• A 727% rise in the volume of cargo handled on national waterways.

• A 62% growth in the number of multi-modal terminals.

• An 860% increase in budget allocation for Inland Waterways.

• Cargo Traffic Growth: Cargo traffic on national waterways has seen exponential growth from 18 million tonnes a decade ago to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of over 22%.