In a significant update provided to the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, led by Union Minister Sonowal, detailed the ongoing construction of five bridges over the Brahmaputra River as part of National Waterway-2. This waterway stretches 891 kilometers from Dhubri to Sadia and was officially designated as National Waterway-2 in September 1988.
Bridge Construction and Regulatory Compliance
The Ministry highlighted that constructing any bridge over a National Waterway requires a “No Objection Certificate” (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This certification is crucial to ensure that the bridges comply with safety standards concerning horizontal and vertical clearances, essential for maintaining navigational safety.
As per the Inland Waterways Authority of India (Classification of Waterways in India) Regulations, 2006—amended in 2016 and 2022—the Brahmaputra River is classified into two segments:
- Dhubri to Dibrugarh: Classified as Class-VII waterway, requiring a minimum horizontal clearance of 100 meters between piers and a minimum vertical clearance of 10 meters.
- Dibrugarh to Sadia: Classified as Class-V waterway, necessitating a minimum horizontal clearance of 80 meters between piers and a minimum vertical clearance of 8 meters.
Guwahati Bridge Update
The Ministry also confirmed that the NoC for a new bridge connecting Bharalumukh (South Guwahati) to North Guwahati was issued to the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) on February 28, 2018. This clearance ensures the bridge’s compliance with navigational requirements, enhancing the safe and efficient movement of vessels along the waterway.
The construction of these bridges is expected to significantly improve infrastructure, boost connectivity, and facilitate economic growth in the region by enhancing the functionality of National Waterway-2.