Agartala, November 22, 2025: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has accelerated two major projects in Tripura aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and strengthening the state’s tourism prospects. The initiatives include the development of the Gomati River to link with Bangladesh’s Meghna river system and the proposed introduction of a cruise ship service on Dumbur Lake in Dhalai district.

The updates came during a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who assessed ongoing Inland Water Transport (IWT) projects across the Northeast, including Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya.

Highlighting Tripura’s progress, Sonowal informed that a project worth ₹24.53 crore is underway to develop the Gumti River and establish a navigational route connecting it to the Meghna river system in Bangladesh. The project involves creating a navigational channel, constructing nine floating pontoon terminals, undertaking bank protection works, and installing navigational aids.

The minister added that a feasibility study is also in progress for launching a cruise ship service on Dumbur Lake to promote tourism and leisure-based water travel in the state.

Sonowal emphasized that ongoing IWT projects across the Northeast demonstrate the Modi government’s commitment to transforming the region through modern river-based infrastructure. “By enhancing river connectivity, tourism and trade corridors, we are unlocking new economic opportunities and integrating the region with national and international markets. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast is entering a new era of connectivity and economic resurgence,” he said.

The minister further stated that the Centre aims to invest more than ₹5,000 crore in developing inland water transport in the region in the coming years, strengthening cargo movement, river tourism and cross-border trade.