The Indian government, under the leadership of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has announced a significant investment of Rs 1,100 crore for the development of 25 inland waterway projects and various Ayush projects in the Northeast region. This funding allocation is a substantial effort to enhance connectivity, infrastructure, and health and wellness services in the area.
Inland Waterways Projects
- Funding Allocation: A total of Rs 1,100 crore has been allocated over the past two years for these projects, with Rs 850 crore specifically earmarked for 15 key projects in Assam.
- Project Breakdown:
- Floating Jetties: Seven floating jetties are planned in Assam at Jogighopa, Pandu, Biswanath, Nimati, Bindhakata, Uriamghat, and Sadiya.
- Permanent Jetties: Projects include permanent jetties at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, a renovated jetty at Badarpur in Karimganj, and a new jetty at Sonamura in Tripura.
- River Development: The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers will see the development of 15 floating jetties each, along with regular dredging of 88 identified shallow passages on the Brahmaputra to ensure smooth ship passage.
- Completion Timeline: These projects are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Transformation via Transportation,’ and are expected to be operational by January 2024.
Ayush Projects
- Project Allocation: The Ministry of Ayush has been implementing projects worth Rs 286 crore across the Northeast, focusing on scaling up and expediting these projects.
- Key Developments:
- Yoga and Naturopathy Hospital: A hospital worth Rs 80.66 crores in Dibrugarh is planned, with the foundation stone laying ceremony scheduled for January 2024.
- Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy and Wellness Centers: A new building in Guwahati, worth Rs 34.33 crores, is also slated for a foundation stone laying ceremony by January 2024.
- Ayush Health and Wellness Centers: Out of 830 approved centers in the region, 495 are already operational. Additionally, nine out of 33 approved integrated Ayush hospitals are functional.
- Educational Support: The Ayush Ministry supports eight undergraduate and postgraduate Ayush education institutions and has approved three new Ayush institutes in Sikkim, Manipur, and Assam.
This substantial investment by the Indian government in the Northeast region’s inland waterways and Ayush projects demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the region’s infrastructure, connectivity, and health services. The strategic focus on these areas is expected to bring significant development and growth to the region, thereby contributing to the overall economic progress of the country.