His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid a visit to the strategically situated Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) terminal at Jogighopa in Assam’s Bongaigaon district in India on Sunday. The tour, aimed at evaluating the terminal’s operational readiness and technical capabilities, marks a significant milestone in enhancing Bhutan’s access to global markets via India’s burgeoning inland waterway network.
Commissioned on February 18 by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal alongside Bhutan’s Minister of Industries, Commerce & Employment Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, the Rs 82 crore terminal has swiftly commenced cargo operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the time of inauguration, lauded the facility as “a noteworthy addition in our quest for improving infrastructure as well as encouraging inland waterways for progress and prosperity.”
Welcome the visit of His Majesty, King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to the MMLP and IWT Terminal at Jogighopa, Assam, key infra poised to boost trade and connectivity between India and Bhutan. 🇮🇳🤝🇧🇹
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) April 19, 2025
A true reflection of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s #ActEast… pic.twitter.com/aVPldvSmvy
During his inspection, King Wangchuck toured the RCC jetty—complete with an RCC approach designed for an Electric Level Luffing crane—and examined the expansive storage provisions, which include a 1,100 sqm covered warehouse equipped with power backup and an 11,000 sqm open yard. He also reviewed the terminal’s administrative block, customs and immigration offices, and the truck parking zone, all of which have been established to streamline cross-border shipments.
Emphasizing the project’s alignment with India’s Act East policy, Union Minister Sonowal remarked, “It is a historic moment that His Majesty the King of Bhutan is here to witness the operational launch of the Jogighopa IWT terminal and the adjacent Multi-Modal Logistics Park. These initiatives embody inclusive growth and sustainable development, further cementing the enduring friendship and mutual prosperity between our nations.”
The Jogighopa terminal’s location—91 km from Bhutan’s Gelephu, 108 km from Bangladesh’s border, and 147 km from Guwahati—renders it a linchpin for trilateral trade. Recognized as a declared port of call under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T) between India and Bangladesh, it is projected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027, significantly boosting regional commerce.
Accompanying the King were Assam’s Minister for Water Resources Jayanta Malla Baruah, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, Director of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, senior district officials, and dignitaries from Bhutan’s Royal Government. Their collective presence underscored the shared commitment to leveraging inland waterways as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative for freight movement.
As cargo vessels ply the Brahmaputra from Jogighopa, the terminal is poised to become a gateway for Bhutanese exports—ranging from agricultural produce to mineral resources—to reach global buyers more efficiently. The royal visit not only reaffirms the terminal’s operational success but also signals a new era in India–Bhutan collaboration, anchored in modern infrastructure and a shared vision of regional integration.
