Sonowal Updates Rajya Sabha on Brahmaputra River Bridge Construction

The Brahmaputra River, stretching 891 kilometers from Dhubri to Sadia, was officially recognized as National Waterway-2 in September 1988.

In today's Rajya Sabha session, Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, leading the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing construction of bridges across the Brahmaputra River, which is designated as National Waterway-2. The Brahmaputra River, stretching 891 kilometers from Dhubri to Sadia, was officially recognized as National Waterway-2 in September 1988.

Currently, five bridges are under construction along this vital waterway. The construction of these bridges involves obtaining a "No Objection Certificate" (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This certificate ensures that the bridges adhere to essential parameters for horizontal and vertical clearances, crucial for maintaining safe navigation.

According to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (Classification of Waterways in India) Regulations, 2006, and subsequent amendments in 2016 and 2022, the Brahmaputra River is classified into two segments: the stretch from Dhubri to Dibrugarh, classified as a Class-VII waterway, and the stretch from Dibrugarh to Sadia, classified as a Class-V waterway. For Class-VII waterways, a minimum horizontal clearance of 100 meters and a vertical clearance of 10 meters between bridge piers are required. Class-V waterways require a minimum horizontal clearance of 80 meters and a vertical clearance of 8 meters.

The Ministry confirmed that the IWAI issued the NoC for a bridge connecting Bharalumukh (South Guwahati) to North Guwahati on February 28, 2018. This clearance from the IWAI ensures that the bridge will comply with regulatory standards, promoting safe and efficient navigation along National Waterway-2.