Northeast India is witnessing a revival of its 1,800 km-long inland waterways, transforming them into strategic trade corridors. Historically vital for transporting goods like tea and timber, these rivers are now regaining significance with government support through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Investments of ₹2,500–3,000 crore since 2014, modern terminals, and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes are driving regional trade, especially in Assam, Tripura, and Mizoram.

Experts see this shift as a sustainable, cost-effective transport alternative, integrating with supply chains and enhancing connectivity with neighboring countries. This renaissance is not only about transportation but about reviving economic growth, empowering communities, and restoring the region’s historic trade heritage.