GUWAHATI, June 9 - Assam is endowed with rich navigable inland waterways, which can play a major role in the socio-economic development of the region by providing accessibility at a minimum cost, state Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said.
Patowary was chairing a review meeting at Janata Bhawan on Friday, regarding the Rs 1,000 crore World Bank-funded projects of the state�s inland water transport (IWT) sector.
The Transport Minister said that passenger safety should be prioritised and hence it would be mandatory for all boats to be registered under the IWT Regulatory Board. The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) will also conduct a survey and certify all existing and new vessels.
The state government has tied up with World Bank, aiming at modernisation and improvement of ferry and terminal infrastructure, he said.
Patowary also reviewed the terminal infrastructure plan of Aphalamukh, Kamalabari, Neamati, North Guwahati and South Guwahati. He said that the Aphalamukh-Neamati and the North Guwahati-South Guwahati terminals should be functional at the same time for the benefit of the people.
Taking stock of activities of the civil aviation sector, Patowary reviewed the progress of the new terminal at the LGBI Airport and the proposed six-lane road from the new airport terminal to Dharapur Chariali connecting NH-37.
Issues related to the proposed water aerodrome at Uzan Bazar, the Guwahati river front, Brahmaputra river and Umrangsu lake, etc., were also discussed in the meeting.
