Dibrugarh: In a first since Independence, Dibrugarh is set to re-enter the international riverine trade with methanol cargo transport from Bogibeel to Bangladesh, potentially opening new routes for Assam’s trade and local economy.Two vessels carrying 1,080 tonnes of methanol from Bogibeel to Bangladesh will begin commercial cargo operations at the newly developed inland water transport terminal, nearly eight decades after Independence.Produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) at Namrup, the methanol will be transported in 54 ISO tank containers. Each vessel will carry 27 containers, with each container holding about 20 tonnes.The vessels will travel nearly 783 km from Bogibeel to the Bangladesh border via National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra. The journey is expected to begin sometime in Oct and take about seven days.The shipment marks a step towards reviving Assam’s inland water transport infrastructure. One vessel, DLB Patkai, remained unused for nearly three decades under Assam govt’s inland water transport department. APL leased and repaired it at Pandu in Guwahati before deploying it for cargo shipment.APL chairperson Bikul Deka said the shipment could pave the way for more trade through Brahmaputra.“Another dream is on the path to becoming a reality. This is the first known instance since Independence of locally manufactured goods from Dibrugarh being transported for trade through the Brahmaputra by inland waterway,” Deka said on Monday.He said transporting methanol to Bangladesh could eventually make freight movement more cost-effective and support river-based imports and exports.The Bogibeel terminal has a customs office, cargo jetty and warehouse. A lighthouse and a regional centre of excellence are under construction.Poojan Kumar, officer-in-charge of the Bogibeel port under Inland Waterways Authority of India, said the terminal could become a gateway for products from Assam and neighbouring areas to international markets.“Once fully operational, the facility can provide an alternative route for transporting a range of products from Assam and the region to international markets,” Kumar said.He said products of Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd, petroleum products, coal and tea-sector goods could potentially use the waterway. Agricultural products from upper Assam, including Kaji Nimbu, bhut jolokia and black pepper, could also gain new export opportunities, supporting the local economy.The development revives Dibrugarh’s historical association with river-based commerce. During British rule, Brahmaputra was an important route for transporting goods from the region to other parts of India and overseas.With regular cargo movement proposed through Bogibeel, authorities and industry stakeholders expect Brahmaputra to play a larger role in connecting upper Assam with domestic and international markets.
