Bongaigaon (Assam), 18 February (HS): Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday inaugurated the Jogighopa Terminal in Assam. This terminal will play a key role in strengthening trade relations between India, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister Sonowal said, This terminal will prove to be extremely important for the three countries in the field of trade and commerce. It will not only reduce logistics costs but will also create new employment opportunities for the youth.

Underlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to enhance regional connectivity, Sonowal said, This is a precious gift given by Prime Minister Modi to the people of North-East and South-East Asia. The development of waterways is ushering in a new era of trade and transport in the region.

The terminal has been developed under the North East Waterways Development Scheme, which includes upgradation of waterway terminals at Bogibeel (Dibrugarh), Sonamura (Tripura), Karimganj and Badarpur (Assam).

The Jogighopa terminal is being considered as an important part of the International Multimodal Logistics Park (IMLP) being developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It will establish the Northeast as a major transport hub by connecting road, rail, air and waterways.

The project is expected to boost local industry, agriculture and exports, leading Northeast India to become a global trade hub.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash