Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Jogighopa, Assam, on February 18, 2025. This terminal, constructed at a cost of over ₹82 crore, is strategically located 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from the Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati, enhancing India’s trade connectivity with both neighboring countries.
The facility is equipped with a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) jetty and an electric-level luffing crane for efficient cargo handling. It also features an administrative building, customs and immigration offices, truck parking areas, covered storage of 1,100 square meters, and open storage spanning 11,000 square meters. The terminal is expected to handle approximately 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027, including commodities such as food grains, fertilizers, coal, and stone chips.
During the inauguration, Minister Sonowal flagged off a vessel carrying 110 metric tonnes of coal and stone chips destined for Bangladesh, marking a significant step in utilizing inland waterways for regional trade. Bhutan’s Minister of Industries, Commerce & Employment, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, was also present at the event, underscoring the terminal’s importance in bolstering trilateral trade among India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
This development aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aiming to strengthen regional ties and promote economic growth through enhanced connectivity. The Jogighopa terminal is poised to serve as a critical hub for inland water transport, facilitating efficient and cost-effective movement of goods in the region.