Guwahati: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has approved the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) at Bogibeel in Assam’s Dibrugarh.
The decision was taken during the 198th Board Meeting of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in New Delhi on Wednesday (June 25).
With a training capacity of 5,396 participants, the proposed centre will serve as a dedicated hub for training, research, and capacity building in the IWT sector. It will address acute shortage of skilled manpower in the Northeast by offering certified training programs aligned with the Inland Vessels Act, 2021.
For IWT development in the Northeast, the IWAI Board approved the proposal of setting up three tourist jetties in Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat and Guijan and one tourist-cum-cargo jetty in Neamati in Assam.
These jetties will help in addressing the growing demand for cargo and passenger/tourist movement by providing improved infrastructure and services in the region.
It will offer better connectivity with regional and national tourist circuits through inland waterways and help in stimulating economic growth through trade and tourism-related activities throughout the Northeastern region.
With the aim to further enhance the IWT infrastructure in the region, the Board also approved a proposal to develop a land parcel of approximately 2154 sq metre in Fancy Bazar, Guwahati, through IPRCL (Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd.).
ALSO READ: Assam govt renames Child Protection Officers as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers
The multi-storeyed building, when fully developed by IPRCL, will house IWAI Guwahati Regional Office and the Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) along with other important offices.
