World Bank approves $88m project to help modernize Assam waterways
The World Bank has approved an $88 million loan to help modernize Assam’s passenger ferry sector that runs on its rivers, including the Brahmaputra.
The Assam Inland Water Transport Project will help Assam improve the passenger ferry infrastructure and its services and strengthen the capacity of the institutions running the inland water transport. Better designed terminals and energy-efficient vessels - both new and retrofitted - will make the ferry services more sustainable with the least disruption to nature.
The project will support the Government of Assam’s efforts to corporatize its own ferry activities. The Assam Shipping Company will operate the government ferries and the Assam Ports Company will provide terminals and terminal services on a common-user basis to both public and private ferry operators. The project will also help build modern ferry terminals.
