Guwahati:�Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal here on Monday said that his government was planning to employ 50,000 youth from the Northeast in the maritime sector over the next 10 years.
Mr Sonowal told reporters, “We have set up a Northeast Skill Development Centre to provide training to the youth. Now we are focusing on a larger scale — 50,000 youth will get jobs in the maritime sector over the next decade. A maritime training institute is being developed as a centre of excellence in Dibrugarh.”
The union minister asserted that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a leading maritime nation.
He said, “Major shipping companies are showing interest in investing in India. Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, our goal is to become one of the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030. By 2047, we aim to be among the top five globally. This vision will create massive employment opportunities, which is why we’re focusing on skill development in the Northeast.”
Mr Sonowal also announced the construction of four lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River — in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silghat, and Biswanath. These lighthouses will provide climate updates, serve as weather forecasting centres, and also act as tourist attractions.
“We are already in discussion with the Ministry of Earth Sciences for this initiative,” the minister said.
Highlighting international interest in India’s waterways, Mr Sonowal revealed that Germany-based Rhenus Logistics Pvt Ltd conducted a three-month feasibility study on the Brahmaputra, Barak, and Ganga rivers.
He informed, “They confirmed that these rivers are viable for ship movement and have shown interest in operating Burgess ships from this year. They have informed that within two years 100 Burgees ship will be provided and from November the process will begin.”
The union minister also announced that in order to boost tourism his ministry will introduce a water metro at three locations in Assam — Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur. “The idea is to allow tourists to enjoy the scenic Brahmaputra and the natural landscape through waterway transport,” said Mr Sonowal.
Informing that the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways has approved the construction of 85 community jetties along the Brahmaputra, Mr Sonowal said that these jetties will facilitate movement for passenger vessels, cargo ships, and other vessels, enhancing inland connectivity across the state
