Covering a distance of more than 4,000 kms through the river Ganga, India’s longest river cruise service will begin from early next year between Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Bogibeel in Assam.
According to Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the service being explored on the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR), and the Brahmaputra, will usher an opportunity for the people of Assam to use inland waterways to promote their trade and livelihood in tourism and cargo transportation.
To facilitate cargo movement from Bogibeel, a permanent cargo terminal is under consideration of the central and state governments. The plan is aimed at facilitating transport of cargo from local industries. The products like polymer, fertilizer, and crackers would find new means of transport after the completion of the port.
The plan is to construct two floating jetties at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh district and Guijan in Tinsukia district. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is constructing both the jetties over River Brahmaputra (National Waterways – 2 (NW-2), media reports said.
An official statement confirmed the construction of two jetties, the job for which has been given to Coastal Consolidated Structures.
“The work has been awarded to Coastal Consolidated Structures on an EPC contract mode (engineering, procurement, construction). The two jetties are estimated to be built at a cost of INR 8.25 crore and are scheduled to be completed by February, 2023,” an official statement said.
Both Assam and Varanasi have huge tourism potential. Assam has many offbeat tourism attractions. Its greenery, wildlife and sacred river are attractions for nature lovers.
Varanasi, on the other hand, stores India’s ancient culture and architecture. It reflects the mood of north India and old values, which reverberate on the banks of river Ganga.
