The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, announced significant initiatives to enhance Nagaland’s waterways potential during a Stakeholder’s Conference in Dimapur. Key announcements included the development of Tizu Zunki (National Waterway 101) with a navigation feasibility study by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Transport Department of Nagaland. Additionally, they revealed plans to boost tourism by developing community jetties and exploring the feasibility of Ro Pax ferries at Doyang River Lake. These efforts aim to create new employment opportunities and promote maritime skill development in the region.
The IWAI, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, is actively working on multiple projects to empower the region’s waterways. These include the Kaladaan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the integration of National Waterways with the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). The Tizu River, which flows into the Chindwin River in Myanmar, offers an alternative route for cargo movement from Northeast India to international markets. The development of these waterways will enhance trade and tourism potential, providing a significant boost to the local economy.
