Budget 2026 to Boost Maritime Sector in Assam, Northeast: Sonowal

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said the Union Budget 2026–27 carries strong growth prospects for Assam and the wider Northeast, with a clear focus on expanding ports, shipping and inland waterways infrastructure.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital after the Budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Sonowal said the government has prioritised strategic investments in the maritime sector to strengthen domestic capacity and reduce reliance on imports. He added that the Budget reflects continuity in governance, noting that it marks the ninth successive Budget presented by a woman finance minister — a milestone he described as symbolic of the government’s emphasis on women’s leadership.

The minister said special attention has been given to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, with targeted allocations aimed at accelerating sectoral growth. Among the most significant announcements, he highlighted the government’s decision to begin manufacturing shipping containers within India. Until now, the country has largely depended on foreign suppliers for containers, a gap that the new initiative seeks to address.

According to Sonowal, a budgetary outlay of ₹10,000 crore has been earmarked to support domestic container manufacturing, a move he said would provide a major boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative while also strengthening India’s logistics and trade ecosystem.

The minister also announced the establishment of Regional Centres of Excellence in Assam and two other locations, aimed at improving skill development and enhancing technical expertise in maritime and allied sectors. These centres, he said, are expected to generate employment opportunities and build a specialised workforce in the region.

In addition, Sonowal said new shipbuilding facilities will be developed in Varanasi and Patna, significantly improving infrastructure along inland waterways. He noted that vessels currently travel long distances, often to Kolkata, for repairs and maintenance. With facilities coming up closer to major river routes, operational efficiency and cost savings are expected to improve.

Highlighting broader maritime goals, the minister said the government is working to double India’s share in global ship management from the current six per cent to twelve per cent. He added that the policy and financial support outlined in the Budget would play a key role in achieving this target.

Summing up the Budget’s impact, Sonowal said the proposals open up fresh avenues for growth, employment and infrastructure development in Assam and the Northeast, reinforcing the region’s role in India’s evolving maritime and logistics landscape.

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