| Jetty / Pontoon |
|---|
As part of the sustained development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure in the North East Region, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has undertaken the construction and augmentation of permanent jetties and floating pontoons across National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra) and associated waterways. These facilities are designed to support passenger and cargo movement, Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax operations, tourism activities, and multimodal integration, while ensuring safe and efficient berthing under varying river conditions.
Key initiatives include the development of passenger-cum-cargo permanent jetties, floating concrete jetties, and tourism-oriented pontoons at strategic locations such as Bogibeel, Pandu, Dhubri, and other stretches of NW-2. The jetties are supported by allied shore infrastructure, bank protection works, and statutory facilities such as customs and immigration offices, wherever applicable. These assets play a critical role in improving last-mile connectivity, facilitating cross-river movement, and strengthening inland navigation in the region in alignment with the objectives of the IWAI Act, 1985.
| S. No. | Jetty / Pontoon Type | Location | Dimensions / Specifications | Purpose | Status |
| 1 | Passenger-cum-Cargo Permanent Jetty | Bogibeel, Assam | 50 m × 20 m | Passenger and cargo handling | Completed (Feb 2024); allied works ongoing |
| 2 | Extension of Permanent Jetty | Bogibeel, Assam | Additional 50 m × 20 m | Capacity augmentation | Under progress; expected Dec 2024 |
| 3 | Floating Concrete Jetty | Bogibeel, Assam | Floating concrete structure | Passenger and cargo operations | Completed |
| 4 | Floating Concrete Jetty | Pandu, Guwahati, Assam | Floating concrete structure | Passenger and cargo operations | Under construction |
| 5 | Tourism Floating Jetties / Pontoons | 5 locations on NW-2 | Floating pontoons | Tourism and passenger movement | Completed (Feb 2024) |
| 6 | Cargo-cum-Passenger Jetty (MMT Component) | Jogighopa, Assam | Part of multimodal terminal infrastructure | Cargo handling and passenger movement | Completed (Aug 2024) |
| 7 | IWT Terminal Jetty | Pandu, Guwahati, Assam | Terminal-based jetty | Cargo operations | Operational (O&M outsourced) |
| 8 | IWT Terminal Jetty | Dhubri, Assam | Terminal-based jetty | Cargo operations | Operational (O&M outsourced) |
| Ship Repair Facility |
|---|
| Pandu, Guwahati |
To strengthen inland water transport operations in the North East Region, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is developing a dedicated Ship Repair Facility at Pandu, Guwahati, on National Waterway–2 (River Brahmaputra). The facility is envisaged as a critical support infrastructure to ensure timely maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of inland waterway vessels operating on NW-2 and adjoining waterways.
The Ship Repair Facility is being developed in two phases, with an estimated cost of ₹208 crore for Phase I and ₹395 crore for Phase II. Phase I is currently under implementation through Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and is targeted for completion by December 2025. On completion, the facility will enhance self-reliance in vessel maintenance, reduce operational downtime, and support the growing cargo, passenger, and tourism traffic on NW-2.
Major Key Features:
| Ship Repair Facility, Pandu (Assam) | |
| Location | Pandu, Guwahati, Assam |
| National Waterway | NW-2 (River Brahmaputra) |
| Implementing Authority | Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) |
| Executing Agency | Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL), subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited |
| Development Phase | Phase-I under implementation; Phase-II planned |
| Estimated Project Cost | Phase-I: ₹208 Crore; Phase-II: ₹395 Crore |
| Current Status | Phase-I under construction; targeted completion by December 2025 |
| Core Facilities (Planned) | Repair berths, workshops, mechanical and electrical repair infrastructure |
| Repair Capability | Maintenance and repair of inland cargo vessels, passenger vessels, and service crafts |
| Regional Coverage | North East Region, including NW-2 and adjoining waterways |
| Operational Objective | Reduce vessel downtime and improve operational reliability of IWT services |
| Strategic Importance | Supports cargo, passenger, tourism, and Ro-Pax operations on NW-2 |
| Policy Alignment | IWAI Act, 1985; National Logistics Policy; Inland Water Transport development in NER |
| Cargo Movements |
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National Waterway–2 (River Brahmaputra) supports significant cargo transportation activity in the North East Region, offering an economical and sustainable alternative to road and rail logistics. At present, approximately 6 lakh tonnes (approx.) of cargo is transported annually on NW-2, comprising building materials, food grains, fertilisers, and over-dimensional cargo (ODC). Scheduled cargo movement between Pandu and Dhubri has been operational since December 2017, contributing to improved logistics efficiency in the region.
There has been increasing interest from industry stakeholders in utilising NW-2 for cargo movement to reduce overall logistics costs. Major industrial users such as M/s Star Cement and M/s Dalmia Cement are already transporting cargo through the waterway. In addition to cargo operations, passenger ferry services are operated by the State Government and private operators at multiple locations along the Brahmaputra. IWAI also operates a Ro-Ro ferry service between Dhubri and Hatsingimari using the Ro-Ro vessel MV Gopinath Bordoloi, which has been in service since July 2017.
Besides cargo and ferry operations, regular cruise services are operational between Pandu and Neamati, reflecting the multi-dimensional use of NW-2 for cargo, passenger mobility, and tourism. With continued investments in terminals, jetties, dredging, and navigational infrastructure, NW-2 is being progressively strengthened to support higher cargo volumes and diversified traffic in the region.