After nearly 80 years, Dibrugarh set to resume international cargo trade via Brahmaputra

Dibrugarh: Assam’s Dibrugarh is set to resume international cargo movement through the Brahmaputra after nearly eight decades, with two vessels carrying 1,080 tonnes of methanol to Bangladesh from the newly constructed inland water port at Bogibeel.

The shipment, produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL) at Namrup, will mark the beginning of commercial operations at the Bogibeel inland water port and open a new route for transporting goods from Upper Assam to international markets.

The two cargo vessels, each around 30 years old, have been prepared for the journey. Each vessel will carry 27 containers, with every container holding approximately 20 tonnes of methanol. Together, the vessels will transport 1,080 tonnes of the chemical.

The vessels are expected to cover nearly 783 kilometres from Bogibeel to the Bangladesh border, with the journey likely to take around seven days.

Poojan Kumar, office in-charge of the Bogibeel port at the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), said the facility could eventually serve as a major gateway for goods produced in Assam and neighbouring regions to reach international markets.

Products manufactured by Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), including polymers, petroleum products, coal and goods associated with the tea industry, could also be transported through the Brahmaputra, he said.

The waterway could further create export opportunities for agricultural products from Dibrugarh and Upper Assam, including kaji nimbu, bhut jolokia and black pepper, potentially connecting local producers with overseas markets.

The Bogibeel port complex has a customs office, jetty and warehouse. Construction of a lighthouse and a Regional Centre of Excellence is also underway.

The development marks a revival of Dibrugarh’s historical role in river-based commerce. During British rule, the region was a major trading centre, with goods transported along the Brahmaputra to destinations across India and overseas. Dibrugarh was also among the major revenue-collecting districts during that period.

The proposed cargo movement is expected to establish a new commercial route for Upper Assam while restoring the Brahmaputra’s role as a channel for transporting goods to international markets.