GUWAHATI: In order to promote and boost river tourism and water sports along the Brahmaputra, has identified seven tentative locations for the development of tourist jetties, said union minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
The identified locations of Oriumghat, Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Koliabhomora Bridge at Tezpur, Bogibeel Bridge, DikhowMukh, Kalongmukh, and Uzanbazar would be used for the development of tourist jetties.
Construction of tourists' jetties will facilitate river cruise tourism; generate local employment and also growth for local business. These jetties would be in addition to the four tourist jetties at Jogighopa, Pandu, Neamati, and BishwanathGhat, which have already been approved.
Meanwhile, the ministry has initiated work on NW 2 (Brahmaputra) and NW 16 (Barak) as more waterways are considered for development.
The Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route was developed jointly by India and Bangladesh at an estimated cost of Rs 305.84 crores to provide alternate connectivity for all North-eastern states from Guwahati and Jogighopa to Kolkata and Haldia ports. The Sirajganj-Diakhowa (175 km) on River Jamuna and Ashuganj-Zakiganj (295km) of river Kushiyara on the IBP routes are being developed to connect with River Brahmaputra and River Barak (NW-16) in Assam.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that as per the request of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his ministry would set up a maritime institute in Assam.
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