Dibrugarh to Bangladesh: first international cargo voyage via NW-2
Why in the news
A methanol consignment is set to leave Dibrugarh for Bangladesh on 5 October 2026, the first time since Independence that cargo from Dibrugarh heads to a foreign port by river.
Key facts
- Flag-off: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, 5 October 2026, 11:00 AM.
- Chief Guest: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma joins virtually.
- Origin: Bogibeel Terminal, Dibrugarh (Upper Assam).
- Destination: Pangaon Port, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Waterways used: National Waterway-2 on the River Brahmaputra and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
- Cargo: methanol produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APCL).
- Assam ministers Charan Boro (Transport), Rameswar Teli (Labour Welfare) and Bimal Borah (Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises) attend as special guests.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start point | Bogibeel, Dibrugarh |
| End point | Pangaon Port, Dhaka |
| Waterway | NW-2 (Brahmaputra) + IBPR |
| Cargo | Methanol (APCL) |
About the initiative
The voyage is organised jointly by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Government of Assam and APCL. It revives old river trade links of Upper Assam and connects the region to Bangladesh through inland water transport.
Exam angle
- National Waterway-2 runs on the Brahmaputra.
- Pangaon Port serves Dhaka; Bogibeel is in Dibrugarh district of Assam.
- The Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) links Indian waterways with Bangladesh.