The Centre has announced plan to develop the Brahmaputra River into a major economic and transport corridor for Northeast India. The government aims to integrate inland waterways, trade, tourism and river management under a modern river basin strategy. Existing projects worth Rs 7.51 billion have already been completed in Assam, while works exceeding Rs 11 billion are underway, including fairway development, tourist jetties and ship repair facilities.
Over the next five years, nearly Rs 48 billion will be invested in cargo vessels, dredgers, cruise terminals and community jetties across the Northeast. The government also plans to modernise the Brahmaputra Board into a technology-driven river basin organisation using geographic information system (GIS), light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and digital monitoring systems.