IWAI officials Survey Dibang and Siang Rivers
Pasighat
Chairperson of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) Nutan Guha Biswas visited Dibang and Siang rivers of Arunachal Pradesh to explore the possibility of developing these rivers for cargo and passenger movements. Chairperson Guha Biswas along with Shashi Bhushan Shukla Secretary, IWAI visited Roing and Pasighat to see Siang and Dibang rivers.
In a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak and officers at Siang Guest House, Guha Biswas informed that Lohit river was declared as national waterways in 2016 for its development for shipping and navigation purposes.
Chief Minister Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu in January this year had asked the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to consider Kameng, Subanshri, Siang and Dibang rivers to declare as national waterways to develop for navigation and tourism purposes.
In response, Union Ministry has directed to conduct survey in these areas so that viable project proposal for the development of waterways in Arunachal Pradesh could be taken up under Center Sector Schemes. She further informed that Central Government was considering development of waterways as priority area to improve connectivity of North East with rest of India and ports. This scoping mission would be submitted its report by December, added the chairman.
Before visiting Arunachal Pradesh a joint scoping mission consisting of senior officers of IWAI, Army and Government of Assam was flagged off from Bogibeel to Dhubri to identify locations along Brahmputra for development of IWT terminals and other infrastructure.
