GUWAHATI: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday, February 26, announced that the Centre will invest ₹4,800 crore in Assam for the development of waterways and related infrastructure over the next five years.
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"I want to announce that in the next five years, ₹4,800 crore will be spent by my ministry in Assam," he said at the ongoing Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in Guwahati.
Sonowal specified that the funds will be utilised for various projects, including a ship repair facility, construction of alternate roads for ports, and development of terminals.
The minister additionally revealed plans to establish a centre of excellence in maritime education in Assam, which will train 5,000 skilled youth annually for the shipping industry.
Highlighting the importance of waterways in economic growth, Sonowal further remarked that the sector has received a significant boost under the BJP-led government since 2014.
He also emphasised that India is working towards becoming a leading maritime nation by 2030 and one of the top five shipbuilding nations globally.