Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Agartala: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced a major initiative to position Northeast India as a strategic gateway for trade with Southeast Asia. Speaking in Agartala on Sunday, Sonowal said the central government is prioritizing regional development by expanding road networks and modernizing inland waterways under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East policy.
A core component of this strategy involves developing the Gomati River into a primary transport corridor. Infrastructure projects are currently underway to prepare the river for commercial traffic, which will allow the region to export agricultural goods, handicrafts, and manufactured products to both domestic and international markets. Sonowal noted that these efforts are designed to unlock the economic potential of the region, stating, "Once operational, the waterway would directly link the region with global trade routes."
Local leadership is working in tandem with the central government to support this expansion. The Chief Minister confirmed that the state has already begun work to improve the navigability of the Gomati River. Furthermore, the state has proposed enhancing air connectivity, including the potential for international flight operations from Agartala Airport, during recent NITI Aayog meetings. Officials believe these combined investments in logistics and infrastructure will boost tourism and employment while establishing the Northeast as a critical nexus for global connectivity.
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