Addressing the Inaugural Session of 'Waterways Conclave 2022', a two-day event organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt of India and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and ICC as the industry partners and PwC as the Knowledge partner, he said, "Within a radius of 2000 kilometres, we have all big cities with a combined population of 800 million, the minister said, and added, "waterways could provide the greatest opportunities for our young entrepreneurs."

Sonowal invited the industry to proactively partner with the government in the waterways sector and contribute to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's AatmNirbhar Bharat vision.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, Government of Assam, said that Assam is implementing 770 crores Assam Inland Water Transport project to provide safe and convenient ferry services to passengers.

Talking about the importance of the waterways ecosystem in the northeast, Mr Sarma said that the Brahmaputra basin possesses nearly 30% of India's water resource potential and cargo movement through waterways would significantly reduce dependence on cargo transportation for roadways.

"Regular movement of cargo through waterways would create job opportunities and open international market for local products through cost-effective transport," he said.

Alluding to the importance of achieving logistics efficiency and, in turn, the waterways sector, Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Govt of India, in his virtual address, said that the logistics cost is 8 to 10% (of the cost of goods) in China, 10-12% in the European countries and around 12% in USA and 16% in India.

The minister averred that waterways are the most cost-effective medium of transport compared to road and railways. "As far as the logistic cost is concerned, the logistics efficiencies the waterways is the ultimate mission for all of us," he added.

G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Govt of India, in his virtual address, said that waterways would be significantly helpful in realising the potential of abundant natural resources in the northeast.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Govt of India, said that we must try to achieve as high a share of the waterways sector as possible in the logistics mix, comprising rail, road, and waterways in the country.

"One litre of fuel will transport one tonne of freight, 24 kilometres by road, 95 kilometres by rail, and an impressive 215 kilometres by waterways," the minister added.

Highlighting the immense potential of the waterways ecosystem for the North-east region, Mr Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, said, "We are not only trying to connect with the neighbouring countries, but also with all the states of this region and extending to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha."