Assam Scraps Inland Water Transport Directorate; Private Companies to Take Lead in River Services

way2barak Feb 12: In a major institutional overhaul of the state’s river transport system, the Directorate of Inland Water Transport (IWT), Assam — the government department that managed ferry services and navigational operations across the Brahmaputra and other rivers — has been formally dissolved.

The decision marks a significant shift in how inland water transport will be administered and operated across the state, with greater private sector involvement now being facilitated under new statutory bodies.

The Assam government initially launched its vision to reform inland water transport in 2022, when it established Assam Inland Waterways Company Limited (AIWCL) and Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory Authority (AIWTRA) as part of a broader structural revamp of the sector.

AIWCL has been designated as the principal operating body responsible for managing ferry services, terminals, vessel operations, and promoting private partnerships.

AIWTRA serves as the regulatory authority, tasked with safety standards, licensing, economic regulation, and compliance oversight across the state’s waterways.

Together, these bodies are replacing the erstwhile directorate — a move aimed at modernising services, integrating private operators, enhancing safety, and promoting a commercially viable inland water transport ecosystem.