BEAUTIFICATION: Union Finance Minister inaugurates Gateway of Guwahati (Terminal and Jetty) and Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project
Union Finance Minister inaugurates Gateway of Guwahati (Terminal and Jetty) and Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project
Brahmaputra Riverfront Development to be extended up to Nilachal Hills: CM
Assam has received projects worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore from the Centre in the past four years: CM
DD TIMES Dispur, November 7: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman today inaugurated the Gateway of Guwahati (Terminal and Jetty) and the Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project – Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan, developed from the new Kamrup (Metro) DC Office to Kachari Ghat, in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The two landmark projects, built at a total cost of ₹632 crore, mark a new chapter in Guwahati’s transformation along the banks of the Brahmaputra.
The Gateway of Guwahati has been designed as a modern, all-weather floating terminal built at a cost of ₹304.95 crore. Spread over 6,800 square metres, it houses a world-class terminal building equipped with an integrated command and control centre, observatory lounge, sewage treatment plant, and fire-fighting and power systems.
Built on a strong deck supported by deep concrete piles, the terminal connects to the river through a system of floating pontoons that automatically adjust to fluctuating water levels, ensuring safe and smooth ferry operations throughout the year.
It also introduces several engineering firsts for the Northeast, including advanced buoyancy systems, high-capacity pile driving, and eco-sensitive underwater monitoring.
The terminal will offer faster and safer ferry services, boost tourism, create local jobs, and emerge as a new urban landmark for the city.
The Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project – Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan, implemented under the Guwahati Smart City Project at a cost of ₹327.31 crore, aims to turn the riverbank into a lively public space blending nature, heritage, and modern amenities.
The project includes a scenic 15-metre-wide boulevard along the river with landscaped gardens, cycling tracks, play areas, and health parks.
Seven artistically designed entry gates inspired by Assam’s diverse cultural motifs such as Rangghar, Sattriya, and the Boro, Mising, Tiwa, and Karbi tribes will welcome visitors to this vibrant new waterfront.
The project also features murals replicating the ancient Bamuni Hills pillars of Tezpur, elegant illumination, refurbished drainage outlets, and ample parking facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma thanked Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her support and said that the Gateway of Guwahati will bring about a revolutionary change in inland water transport in Assam.
He described the Brahmaputra Riverfront Project as part of the government’s mission to make Guwahati more beautiful, citizen-friendly, and attractive to tourists.
The project, he said, is not merely about beautification but about breathing new life into the city’s public spaces and reconnecting people with the Brahmaputra.
He also announced plans to extend the riverfront development up to Nilachal Hills, with additional beautification around the old DC Office and the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s complex.
The Chief Minister said that the government’s major development projects in Guwahati are progressing rapidly and announced that the bridge connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati over the Brahmaputra will be opened to the public in January, bringing a significant improvement in transport and connectivity.
He added that most major projects around the city are expected to be completed by February, which will help Guwahati emerge as the gateway not only to Northeast India but also to Southeast Asia.
Dr. Sarma appreciated the continuous support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in making these projects possible.
Referring to the three major bridges under construction over the Brahmaputra from Narengi to Kurua, Guwahati to North Guwahati, and Palashbari to Sualkuch, he said that the Union Finance Minister played a key role in securing financial assistance for all of them. She also facilitated loans from global institutions such as the World Bank and NDB, with the Centre agreeing to bear 80 percent of the repayment burden, Dr. Sarma said.
The Chief Minister highlighted her role in approving the 32-kilometre elevated corridor at Kaziranga, sanctioning ₹12,000 crore for the proposed under-water tunnel between Gohpur and Golaghat, and supporting the upcoming Kapili Hydropower Project.
He further noted that Assam has received projects worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore from the Central Government in the past four years, due to the Union Finance Minister’s crucial role in approvals such as the ₹10,000 crore ammonia-urea project at Namrup, the Tata Semiconductor Project at Jagiroad, and the hospital built at Kaliabor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Sarma said that the Finance Minister has been instrumental in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of making the Northeast a new engine of national growth and continues to extend support for flyovers, medical colleges, and other key infrastructure projects across the region.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the newly inaugurated Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan has been developed not for profit but for the people of Guwahati.
He advised Guwahati Smart City Limited and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority to keep entry free for visitors until Bohag Bihu and allow free morning access up to 9 a.m. for all, especially mothers with children below 12 years of age.
The event was attended by Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, Transport Minister Chandan Boro, MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MLA Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania, Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, and several other dignitaries.
