In a significant boost to Assam’s inland water transport, the Kopili River was declared operational as National Waterway-57 (NW-57) on August 2, 2025, reviving cargo movement within the state after more than ten years.
The first cargo trial, using MV V.V. Giri, transported 300 metric tonnes of cement from Chandrapur in Kamrup to Hatsingimari in South Samara via the Kopili and Brahmaputra rivers, covering a 300 km route in 12–14 hours.
This development marks the operationalisation of over 1,168 kilometers of navigable waterways in Assam, as part of a broader push by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to enhance sustainable logistics infrastructure across the Northeast.
The cement shipment was supplied by M/s Star Cement, showcasing the potential for cost-effective, eco-friendly freight movement across the state. Officials termed the trial run a success, citing smooth navigation and timely delivery as encouraging indicators for commercial viability.
MV V.V. Giri, a self-loading cargo vessel, demonstrated the feasibility of integrating NW-57 with NW-2 (Brahmaputra), creating a multimodal corridor that could reduce road congestion and cut carbon emissions.
“With this operationalisation, intra-state river cargo has officially resumed, connecting key economic zones through inland waterways,” said an official from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The waterway revival aligns with the government’s ambitious “Act East” and “PM Gati Shakti” initiatives, which prioritize multimodal connectivity and regional development in the Northeast.
The Kopili route is now expected to open doors for bulk cargo transport, especially for industries such as cement, coal, and agricultural produce, benefiting both small and large-scale businesses in Assam.
Further commercial trials are scheduled over the coming months as authorities evaluate seasonal viability, riverbed conditions, and infrastructure requirements for long-term operations.
