In a historic step towards the revival of Assam’s river-based trade and sustainable logistics, National Waterway-57 (River Kopili) was operationalised today with the first-ever cargo trial run from the Govardhan Bridge in Chandrapur, Kamrup to Hatsingimari in South Samara. The movement marks the resumption of intra-state waterborne freight transport in Assam after more than a decade. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal underlined this development as a ‘watershed moment’ for Inland Waterways Transport in Assam and the Northeast.
This is the first cargo trial movement on the 46 kms long NW-57 since 2014, making it a turning point in the revival of intra-state cargo through Assam’s river systems. The operationalisation of this route is in line with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and PM Gati Shakti, which aim to establish sustainable, integrated, and efficient transport infrastructure across the country.
This development is expected to enhance cargo movement efficiency in the region, reduce transportation costs, and promote sustainable logistics through eco-friendly waterborne transport. The operationalisation of NW-57 underlines the government’s continued efforts to strengthen multimodal connectivity and unlock the economic potential of inland waterways, especially in remote and strategically important areas like Northeast India.