Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that regular freight movement via waterways would offer job prospects for people in the state and throughout the Northeast.
Sarma said that regular transit of cargos through waterways will bring a paradigm shift to the people of the region, speaking at the waterways colloquium in Dibrugarh.
He went on to say that it will also create jobs and open up worldwide markets for local goods.
Meanwhile, union minister Sarbanand Sonowal remarked that good utilisation of rivers in the Northeast would ensure strong ties with neighbours.
“The two-day waterways conclave’s objectives are to give priority to our waterways, utilise their full potential, and develop good partnerships with our neighbouring countries,” Sonowal added.
On the other hand, DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy highlighted the role of waterways development as a game changer for tourism in the Northeast.
Reddy said that the central government is working towards boosting cruise tourism and heritage tourism along traditional waterways.