By Our Business Correspondent
Dibrugarh: In a landmark development for India’s inland waterways and Northeast connectivity, the first international cargo vessel carrying methanol from Assam to Bangladesh was flagged off on Monday, reviving the Brahmaputra River as an international trade corridor after nearly eight decades.
The maiden shipment, carrying methanol produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL), departed from the Bogibeel Inland Waterways Terminal in Dibrugarh and is bound for Pangaon Port in Dhaka via the Brahmaputra, or National Waterway-2, and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
Flagging off the historic voyage, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the development as a transformational moment for the Northeast, stating that the revival of river-based international trade would unlock new economic opportunities, strengthen regional connectivity and reduce logistics costs for industries across Assam.
Boost for Trade and Logistics
The launch marks a significant step in leveraging inland waterways as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable transport mode. Industry experts believe the new trade route could substantially lower freight expenses for manufacturers in the Northeast, while reducing dependence on road transportation and easing pressure on existing logistics networks.
The corridor is expected to provide exporters and industrial units in Assam with direct access to Bangladesh markets, enhancing cross-border trade and improving supply chain efficiency for sectors such as petrochemicals, tea, agriculture and manufacturing.
₹200-Crore Maritime Skill Hub Announced
In a major workforce development initiative, Sonowal announced the establishment of a ₹200-crore Skill Development Centre at the Bogibeel terminal. The centre is expected to train around 50,000 youths from Assam and the Northeast over the next decade, creating a skilled workforce for the rapidly expanding maritime, shipping and logistics sectors.
The move aligns with the government’s broader strategy of developing waterways infrastructure while generating employment opportunities linked to the blue economy.
Northeast Connectivity Gets Strategic Push
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who joined the event virtually, hailed the launch as a milestone in the state’s economic integration with neighbouring countries.
The operationalisation of the international waterway route is expected to strengthen commercial ties between India and Bangladesh while positioning Assam as a key logistics gateway for the Northeast. Policymakers believe the initiative will support industrial growth, attract investment and open new avenues for export-oriented businesses in the region.
A New Era for Inland Waterways
The Bogibeel-Dhaka shipment underscores the Centre’s push to transform India’s inland waterways into a viable alternative to traditional transport routes. With lower transportation costs, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced regional connectivity, the project is expected to play a crucial role in expanding trade through river systems and boosting economic activity across the Northeast.