Construction of Pandu ship repair facility to start from May: Union Minister Sonowal

GUWAHATI:

Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on December 27, said that the technical work of the Pandu ship repair facility will commence from May 2022, and the same is slated for completion by 2024.

Sonowal held a meeting with the officials of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Cochin Shipyard Limited, and IIT, Madras, to review the progress of ship repair facility, wherein he highlighted the importance of the ship repair facility for the region.

The project also referred as ‘Slipway’ will be jointly designed and implemented by IWAI and Cochin Shipyard Limited, with technical support from IIT Madras on 3.67 acres land.

Sonowal, while giving details about the project, expounded that the future progress of the Northeast lies in the development of the waterways. He pointed that work on the National Waterway 2, and National Waterway 6 for facilitating cargo traffic, passenger traffic, as well as tourist jetties for economic growth of the region has already started.

To achieve a motorable waterway, dredging of both rivers are to be done at critical junctures so that adequate depth is achieved for cargo ship movement, he said.

“Our rich history economic prosperity can be reinvigorated by developing our rivers as waterways for smooth & swift movement of cargo and passengers. This will not only boost the export sector of the entire northeastern region but will also become a major multiplier in the employment generation in the region. All the state governments of the Northeast have extended their support in developing these waterways. We - the centre along with the state governments - will work together seamlessly so that the people can reap the benefits & prosper,” Sonowal said.

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