River renaissance: FM opens 2 key projects in Guwahati

Guwahati: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated two landmark infrastructure projects in Guwahati — the Gateway of Guwahati Terminal and Jetty and the Brahmaputra Riverfront-Sati Radhika Shaanti Udyan.

These projects symbolise the govt’s commitment to revitalise the state’s riverine transport ecosystem and reconnecting the city with the majestic Brahmaputra through sustainable and people-centric urban transformation.Speaking at the inauguration, the finance minister commended the initiative as a transformative step in developing sustainable, multimodal connectivity and celebrating Assam’s cultural identity through urban design.

“The Gateway of Guwahati Terminal is not just a transport facility. It is a statement of Assam’s progressive vision. This project will boost river-based transport, promote tourism, and open new economic opportunities for the people of Assam,” said Sitharaman.Referring to the riverfront project, she said the Brahmaputra is the soul of Assam’s civilisation and the state’s development is intrinsically linked to it.

“By reconnecting the city and its people to the river, this project celebrates both tradition and transformation,” she added.Sitharaman appreciated the efforts of the state govt in developing modern urban facilities for Guwahati, noting that the project beautifully blends culture with technology and reflects a visionary approach to meeting the needs of citizens. She said the urban development project was implemented thoughtfully, ensuring that local livelihoods and traditional infrastructure are not disrupted.

While developing the riverfront, the historic Uzan Bazar fish market was preserved and remains operational, with a dedicated access route created within the riverfront area to facilitate fishermen in continuing their activities in the Brahmaputra.The finance minister lauded the progress made in Assam’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector. She underscored the collaborative spirit of development between the Centre and the state, stating that the CM is taking a well-planned and strategic approach to drive industrial growth in Assam.

She said under the special assistance to states for Capital Investment Scheme, the central govt provides interest-free loans to states for a period of 50 years.

In this regard, she commended Assam’s performance for effectively utilising these funds.Meanwhile, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the inauguration of the Guwahati Gateway Terminal marks a significant step towards strengthening the state’s internal water transport network. He highlighted that the new terminal, equipped with multimodal connectivity, will greatly enhance Assam’s transport infrastructure and facilitate smoother passenger and cargo movement along the Brahmaputra.