The river Brahmaputra having a length of 891 Km between Bangladesh Border and Sadiya was declared as National Waterway no. 2 (NW-2) on 1st September, 1988. IWAI is carrying out various developmental works on the waterway for improving its navigability as laid down in the IWAI act, 1985 (82 of 1985).
As per IWAI, Act 1985, IWAI is responsible to develop the waterway for navigation. IWAI is maintaining a navigable depth of 2.5m in B’Border- Neamati (629 Km), 2.0 m in Neamati – Dibrugarh (139 Km) and 1.5m in Dibrugarh – Sadiya (Oriumghat) stretch. At present the waterway is being used by vessels of Govt. of Assam, Army Border Security Forces, Tourism organization and other private operators. Long cruise tourist vessels are making voyages between Pandu and Majuli island near Neamah regularly. From October to May, over dimensional cargo (ODC) is also transported through the waterway from time to time.
Navigation Facilities
In order to provide the safe navigation for various cargo vessels, tourist vessels with foreign tourists, local regular service by private operators and mechanized country boats , day navigation marks with bamboos and navigational lights fixed on country boats / beacons have been provided from B’Border to Dibrugarh as detailed below:
| S. No. | Stretch & Distance in Km | Number of day marks | Solar operated Navigational lights fixed on country boats/ Beacons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Season | Flood Season | |||
| 1 | Bangladesh Border – Pandu (255 km) | 293 | 147 | 255 |
| 2 | Pandu- Neamati (374 Km) | 561 | 281 | 200(up to Silghat) |
| 3 | Neamati-Dibrugarh(139 km) | 139 | 135 | |
| 4 | Dibrugarh- Oriumghat/Sadiya (92/123 Km) | 140 | 105 | |
| Terminals | ||||
| Terminals at 12 locations are being maintained on NW-2 for handling cargo vessels and passenger ferries as per the details given below: | ||||
| Sl No | Location | Type of terminal (Fixed/Floating) | Purpose | Status |
| 1 | Hatsingimari | Temporary Ro- Ro terminal with a steel crane pontoon is provided. | For providing Ro-Ro service between Dhubri and Hatsingimari | Ro- Ro service is operational |
| 2 | Dhubri | RCC Ro- Ro terminal with 2 godowns and a crane pontoon is provided | For completion of customs and immigration both for incoming and outgoing vessels on Protocol route in addition to handling of Ro -Ro vessel, cargo vessels, passenger ferries and stone chips cargo in Bangladesh | (i) Ro- Ro Terminal is operational. (ii) A DGPS station is also established at this location. (iii) 1 shore crane of 20 ton capacity is placed at Terminal 4 handling of cargo. (iv) RO-PAX Vessels from Dubri to Hatsingimari – MV Bob khathing |
| 3 | Jogighopa | Floating terminal with a crane pontoon. | For transportation of Meghalaya coal/import of coal for NTPC power plant at Bongaigaon and for handling of stone chips cargo in Bangladesh. | (i) Multimodel logistics hub is under construction. Recently it has been declared as one of the Port of Call. (ii) DGPS station has been established at this terminal. |
| 4 | Pandu | Fixed/permanent terminal with two godowns and RCC jetties | Pandu is the major location on NW-2 as an entry point to NE States. | (i) A low level jetty is operational for berthing of vessels.along with a high level jetty. 1 shore crane of 20 ton capacity, one container crane of 75 ton capacity and ones floating crane are placed at terminal for handling of cargo. One B.G. siding is also constructed and notified for operation and 1 tourist RCC floating jetty under construction. (ii) RO-PAX from South Guwahati to North Guwahati-MV JFRJacob. |
| 5 | Tezpur | Floating terminal with a steel pontoon. | For handling of cargo vessels, local ferry service. | A steel pontoon is placed at this terminal. |
| 6 | Biswnath Ghat | Floating Terminal | Projected for handling of PDs cargo by FCI and ODC movement. | A DGPS station is also established at this location |
| 7 | Silghat | Floating terminal with a steel pontoon. | For handling of cargo vessels, local ferry service. | It is a port of call in Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. |
| 8 | Neamati | Floating terminal with a steel pontoon | For handling of cargo vessels, local ferry service. | (i) Ro- Ro terminal is proposed and being developed. (ii) RO-PAX from Neamati to Manjuli MV Rani Gaidinliu MV Sachin Dev Barman |
| 9 | Bogibeel | Floating terminal with steel pontoon. | For handling of FCI cargo. | (i) Tourist cum cargo IWT construction in progress. (ii) Tourist RCC floating jetty construction in progress. (iii) Food grains has already been transported and experienced. |
| 10 | Dibrugarh | Floating terminal with a steel pontoon | For handling of cargo vessels, local ferry service. ODC cargo is also expected at this terminal in view of upcoming hydro power project. | A DGPS station is established. |
| 11 | Sengajan/ Panbari | Floating terminal with a crane pontoon | Considered in view of regular movement of Indian army IWT fleet. | At this location floating terminal is being maintained in view of movement of Indian Army vessels between Arunachal and Assam. |
| 12 | Oriumghat | Floating steel pontoon | To facilitate passengers connected to Arunachal /Assam, BSF / Army and link to southern bank like Dibrugarh. ODC and project cargo. | (i) Land acquisition completed. (ii) Other developmental activities are planned. |