Sonowal: ₹5,000 crore earmarked for Northeast waterways; 50,000 youth to get maritime training
On 7 July 2025, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said ₹5,000 crore has been earmarked to develop waterways in the Northeast and 50,000 youth from the region will be trained in maritime skills over the next decade.
Summary
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced at a press conference on 7 July 2025 that ₹5,000 crore has been earmarked for waterways and maritime initiatives in the Northeast. The government aims to train 50,000 youth from the region in maritime skills over the next decade, with the Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and an upcoming Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh. Initiatives listed include permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj and Badarpur, year-round fairway dredging and tourist jetties worth ₹299 crore, alongside projects such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
Key facts
- Investment
- ₹5,000 crore for Northeast waterways
- Skilling
- 50,000 NE youth over the next decade
- Centres
- Maritime Skill Development Centre, Guwahati; upcoming CoE, Dibrugarh
- Terminals
- Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj, Badarpur
- Tourism
- Tourist jetties worth ₹299 crore
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How much investment has been earmarked for Northeast waterways, according to Sarbananda Sonowal on 7 July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹5,000 crore
MoPSW: with an investment of ₹5,000 crore earmarked, the Union Government has drawn up major initiatives for waterways in the region.
How many youth from the Northeast does the government aim to train in maritime skills over the next decade?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 50,000
MoPSW: the government aims to train 50,000 youth from the region in maritime skills over the next decade.
Which two Assam cities host the Maritime Skill Development Centre and the upcoming maritime Centre of Excellence mentioned by Sonowal in July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Guwahati and Dibrugarh
MoPSW: the Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati and the upcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh will power this transformation.