Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced plans to harness the Tizu-Zunki river for the economic development of Nagaland, facilitating both cargo and passenger transport. The announcement was made on Monday during a conference organized by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in Chumoukedima district.
Sonowal emphasized the benefits of waterways, highlighting them as the most economical, sustainable, and efficient mode of transportation. "Inland waterway is a new thing for Nagaland, and we have to fully participate to avail the benefit," he stated. The Tizu and Zunki rivers, originating from Kiphire district and ending in Chindwin, are considered crucial waterways for this development.
In Nagaland, National Waterway 101 (NW 101) flows from Longmatra towards Avangkhu. The IWAI will conduct a feasibility study on Inland Water Transport (IWT) to assess the fairway development, navigational aids, terminal infrastructure, skill development, and vessel procurement.
During the conference, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Sonowal jointly announced the development of Tizu Zunki (NW 101). Both the IWAI and the Nagaland Transport Department will collaborate on the navigation feasibility study.
Additionally, initiatives will be taken to develop the tourism potential of Doyang river lake by building community jetties and studying the feasibility of boosting tourism in the state. "The complex and dynamic mix of waterways in the Northeast provides us with an excellent opportunity to build on the nation's development momentum. We remain firmly committed and on track to provide impetus for the development of waterways in the region," Sonowal said.
Chief Minister Rio urged the youth to train in maritime skills at the Maritime Skill Development Centre to seize employment opportunities in the marine sector.
