Dispur, August 27: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday stated that his ministry would take initiatives to start a maritime institute in Assam soon.
The statement by the former Chief Minister of Assam was made during the Stakeholders Conclave for North-Eastern Region on “Waterways as Engine for Growth”.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Sarbananda Sonowal discussed several issues for harnessing the “potential of the waterways” of the North-Eastern region for its proper utilization.
Chief Minister Sarma said that while the potentiality of waterways in the region remained dormant for a long period after Independence and now the waterways sector has received new momentum in the northeast.
Stating waterways as the cheapest and a very eco-friendly medium of transportation, the Chief Minister urged the exporters and business communities to come forward to take advantage of the waterways. The Chief Minister thanked Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal for his initiatives in rejuvenating the waterways sector for the benefit of the North-Eastern region. He said that as 95% of the county’s trade takes place through waterways, a very lucrative career option is available in this sector for the young generation.
Chief Minister Sarma further urged Cochin Shipyard Limited to design some good quality river ambulances for providing better medical services to the riverine population of the State.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced that as per the request of Chief Minister Sarma, his ministry would set up a maritime institute in Assam.
Urging the local exporters to take advantage of the waterways for transportation of their cargo, the Union Minister called upon all North-Eastern States to prepare proposals for developing the existing waterways of their respective States.