Four New Lighthouses Planned on Brahmaputra at Pandu, Bogibeel and More

The Centre has announced plans to construct four new lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, including one at Pandu in Guwahati, to strengthen inland waterway navigation and river safety. The announcement was made on January 10 by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.

The lighthouses will be built at Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu, and Biswanath Ghat along National Waterway-2, which runs through Assam and forms the backbone of river transport in the state.

Four new lighthouses will be constructed along the Brahmaputra River in Assam at Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu in Guwahati, and Biswanath Ghat. Announced by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the project aims to improve navigational safety on National Waterway-2 and support inland water transport in the state.

Announcement at Indian Lighthouse Festival

The announcement was made during the two-day Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 held in Visakhapatnam. Speaking at the event, Sonowal said the new lighthouses would enhance safety for vessels operating on inland waterways and support the growing role of river transport in regional logistics.

He said the initiative aligns with the Centre’s broader focus on strengthening maritime and inland waterway infrastructure across the country.

Guwahati’s Pandu Ghat is included

For Guwahati, the inclusion of Pandu Ghat is particularly significant. Pandu is one of Assam’s most important river ports and a key node for cargo movement, passenger ferries, and inland waterway operations on the Brahmaputra.

Officials say improved navigational aids like lighthouses can help vessels operate more safely during low visibility, nighttime movement, and fluctuating river conditions, which are common on the Brahmaputra.

Boost to Inland Water Transport

National Waterway-2 has been identified as a strategic corridor for river-based transport in the Northeast. The proposed lighthouses are expected to assist commercial vessels, ferries, and cargo barges, especially during foggy conditions and monsoon-related challenges.

The project is also seen as supportive of Assam’s efforts to expand river tourism and improve connectivity between riverine towns.

Other Maritime Announcements

At the same event, Sonowal also announced:

• The establishment of the India Ship Technology Centre, a Centre of Excellence under Indian Maritime University, in Visakhapatnam
• The development of a Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam
• Plans to develop 25 more lighthouses across India as tourist destinations, with a focus on Andhra Pradesh

The minister said these initiatives reflect the Centre’s commitment to combining maritime safety with heritage and tourism.

Why This Matters for Assam

For Assam, improved navigational infrastructure on the Brahmaputra directly impacts trade, transport, tourism, and disaster management. Guwahati, as the state’s main river port city, stands to benefit from safer and more reliable inland waterway operations.

The move also signals renewed policy attention towards river-based infrastructure in the Northeast.

What Happens Next

Detailed project timelines and implementation schedules for the Assam lighthouses are expected to be announced by the concerned authorities in the coming months. Construction is likely to be taken up in phases along National Waterway-2.

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