The Assam government has decided to establish a corporation to enhance river transportation infrastructure in the state.
The state cabinet on May 3 decided to set up Assam Inland Waterways Company Limited (AIWCL) to strengthen the river transportation infrastructure, stated Assam minister Keshab Mahanta.
“The chief minister will chair Assam Inland Waterways Company Limited, which will be responsible for establishing, maintaining, and operating cost-effective water transportation services in Assam, including river cruises, as well as developing and maintaining all-weather ports, jetties, and passenger terminals,” Mahanta said.
Additionally, the minister stated that the state cabinet accepted a contract for the construction of a terminal and riverine infrastructure in Guwahati Ghat, with a total contract value of Rs 289.45 crore.
“The Assam cabinet approved the Assam Bridge Project-II, a 4.08-kilometer-long four-lane extra-dosed PSC bridge over the Brahmaputra river connecting Palasbari and Sualkuchi,” minister Keshab Mahanta stated.
Additionally, the state cabinet approved an increase in the state subsidy for houses constructed under PMAY HFA (Urban) from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 for all incomplete houses, as well as the release of Rs 30,000 for early completion of houses constructed under the Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) component of PMAY HFA (Urban) as the third instalment to beneficiaries who have reached roof level, benefiting 1,16,380 beneficiaries and resulting in additional spending of Rs 116.3 crore ”
In collaboration with Tata Technologies Limited (TTL), 34 polytechnics and 43 government ITIs will be renovated as centers of excellence at a cost of Rs 2,390 crore.
Also, the cabinet approved the release of Rs 308.75 crore as part of the Rs 700-crore relief package for employees of Nagaon Paper Mill and Cachar Paper Mill, with the state government providing jobs for 100 of its employees.
Further, the cabinet has approved the construction of new medical colleges and hospitals in Bongaigaon, Dhemaji, Golaghat, and Morigaon at a cost of Rs 2000 crore.
At Tiware village in Maharashtra’s Raigarh district, an Assam Complex would be created to promote the state’s illustrious cultural history, the minister informed.
Additionally, the cabinet approved the hiring of 4,868 graduate and postgraduate instructors at the state’s public and provincialized high and higher secondary schools.
