DIBRUGARH, ASSAM – In a significant move to boost regional connectivity and trade, Assam has officially revived its historic river trade route with Bangladesh, which had remained dormant for nearly 70 years. The first international cargo shipment since India's independence departed Dibrugarh's Bogibeel Terminal on October 5, 2026, heading for Pangaon Port in Dhaka.
The vessel, DLB Patkai, pushed by the tug Kushal Konwar, is transporting 540 metric tonnes of methanol. This methanol was produced by state-owned Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd at Namrup, highlighting the potential for local products to reach international markets via this waterway.
A Historic Corridor Reopens
The journey marks a pivotal moment for the Northeast Indian state, which was once a bustling hub for riverine trade. Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the inaugural voyage, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joining virtually. Sonowal remarked on the historical significance, stating, "Our grandparents grew up hearing the steamer whistle at Dibrugarh Ghat. For 70 years, that whistle fell silent... Today, a ship leaves Dibrugarh for the world once again."
Dibrugarh was a prominent river port by the mid-19th century, with steamers regularly connecting it to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and carrying goods like tea and timber. However, the 1947 Partition of India, a 1950 earthquake, and the 1965 India-Pakistan war severely disrupted and eventually halted this vital trade link. Regular bookings from Dibrugarh Ghat ceased in 1954, and the ghat closed in 1956.
Boosting Regional Connectivity and Economy
The current voyage is seen as a crucial test to establish the Brahmaputra as a commercially viable freight corridor, connecting Northeast India with overseas markets. The vessel will traverse approximately 768 km along National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra before continuing along the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, covering a total distance of about 1,300 km to Narayanganj in Dhaka.
Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the economic implications, stating, "Assam's own product, made in Namrup, is now traveling to an international market on Assam's own river. The Northeast is no longer a frontier. It is India's gateway to the East."
"This is the first voyage, not the last," Sonowal affirmed. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dibrugarh, the Tea Capital of India, is reclaiming the glory it once had as a great river port. We are building it with world-class infrastructure while honouring its heritage."
Recent infrastructure developments have paved the way for this revival. The Bogibeel passenger and cargo terminal, whose foundation stone was laid in July 2023, opened in February 2024. Additionally, new customs and immigration complexes at Bogibeel and Dhubri were essential for facilitating cross-border trade. The ‘Jalvahak’ cargo incentive programme was also launched in December 2024 to encourage river transport.
Future Prospects
This initiative is part of a broader government effort to enhance India's inland waterways. Cargo transported on national waterways has seen a significant increase, rising from 18 million metric tonnes in fiscal 2013-14 to 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26. Over ₹6,800 crore is being invested in waterways across the Northeast, including the development of National Waterway-2 and a ship repair facility at Pandu.
Regular methanol shipments to Bangladesh are now planned, signaling a renewed era of economic cooperation and connectivity between India's Northeast and its eastern neighbor, reviving a legacy that had been silent for generations.