Guwahati: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday inaugurated a specialised programme on underwater welding, offshore repair and additive manufacturing at IIT Guwahati, calling it a major leap in developing maritime skill capacity in the Northeast.
At the event, seven trainees received their underwater welding certification, awarded through IIT Guwahati’s Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) in collaboration with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Sonowal also witnessed a live demonstration of 3D metal printing used to repair a marine propeller — a technology the institute aims to deploy widely in maritime maintenance.
Praising the initiative, Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has “rapidly strengthened India’s maritime capacity,” and positioned the Northeast as a key contributor to the Blue Economy.
The minister noted that Assam’s strategic location and natural waterways make it capable of emerging as a regional hub for ship repair and high-end manufacturing.
“Traditional dependency on dry docking and imports increases cost and delays. Solutions being developed here provide practical alternatives that strengthen self-reliance,” he said.
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Calling the skill development programme “practical and result-oriented,” Sonowal said the certification earned by the first batch will open opportunities across global maritime industries.
He urged major shipyards, dockyards, and inland waterways authorities to partner with IIT Guwahati to build a strong ecosystem in the region.
The ministry, he assured, will support innovation-focused proposals emerging from the institute under existing policy and funding frameworks.
The programme launch was attended by IIT Guwahati Director Prof. Devendra Jalihal, researchers, maritime industry representatives, students and invited guests.
