Guwahati witnessed history on Thursday as Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbānand Sonowal inaugurated the foundation for India’s inaugural river lighthouses on the Brahmaputra. This ₹84 crore project at key National Waterway-2 spots promises to revolutionize inland navigation, making the mighty river a safer conduit for commerce and travel.
Hosted at Lachit Ghat, the ceremony spotlighted the collaborative efforts of DGLL and IWAI. The lighthouses at Bogibeel (Dibrugarh), Pandu (Kamrup Metro), Silghat (Nagaon), and Bishwanath Ghat (Bishwanath) are tailored for the Brahmaputra’s dynamic flow, with three on the south bank and one on the north.
Standing 20 meters high, each beacon offers extensive visibility—14 nautical miles geographic and 8-10 luminous—running on sustainable solar power. Integrated weather sensors will aid real-time monitoring, crucial as NW-2 cargo volumes jumped 53% in the recent fiscal year.
These aren’t mere aids to navigation; they’re multifaceted destinations. Envision museums chronicling riverine heritage, open-air theaters, eateries, kid-friendly zones, gift shops, and green public areas—all designed to draw tourists while bolstering trade in tea, coal, fertilizers, and passenger services.
‘Brahmaputra’s transformation reflects PM Modi’s blueprint for waterways as economic powerhouses,’ Sonowal declared. ‘Cheaper than roads, greener than rails, they unclog highways and propel growth.’
Assam’s leadership, from Tourism Minister Ranjit Das to Transport’s Charan Bora, joined MPs and MLAs in celebration. MoPSW’s Vijay Kumar and DGLL’s N. Muruganandam reinforced the ministry’s waterway ambitions, signaling a new era for India’s fluvial freight networks.