Guwahati: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated India's first modern river ferry terminal, the Guwahati Gateway Terminal, in Guwahati on November 7, 2025. The terminal, located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River at Fancy Bazar, is expected to modernize urban transport, promote sustainable infrastructure, and boost tourism in Assam.
The Guwahati Gateway Terminal is designed to serve a diverse range of users, including daily commuters, long-distance travelers, tourists, and cargo operators. The facility includes structured boarding zones, baggage screening, a 100-seat waiting lounge, a VVIP lounge, a first-aid center, baby care rooms, and an observatory deck offering panoramic views of the Brahmaputra. The 180-meter-long jetty is designed to adapt to the changing water levels of the Brahmaputra, ensuring smooth boarding for passengers and vehicles throughout the year.
The terminal's design emphasizes sustainability, incorporating a transparent roofing system for natural lighting, a solar power setup to meet energy demands, and sewage treatment and fire safety systems. The project was launched on May 13, 2022, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laying the foundation stone. The construction cost is estimated at Rs 400 crore. The World Bank has assisted in the terminal's development.
Alongside the terminal, Sitharaman also inaugurated the Brahmaputra riverfront project, named Sati Radhika Shaanti Udyan. The riverfront, located from Kachari Ghat to the new DC bungalow in the city, features spaces for walking, dining, and cultural gatherings. The beautified Brahmaputra riverfront at Uzan Bazar near the Raj Bhavan also opened to the public, offering a view of the river.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sitharaman said that the Gateway of Guwahati Terminal is not just a transport facility but a statement of Assam's progressive vision. She added that the project would boost river-based transport, promote tourism, and open new economic opportunities for the people of Assam. She also remarked that the Brahmaputra is the soul of Assam's civilization and that the state's development is intrinsically linked to it. By reconnecting the city and its people to the river, the project celebrates both tradition and transformation.
Chief Minister Sarma had earlier inspected the Guwahati Gateway Terminal, calling it one of a kind in India and stating that it would offer a whole new experience to travelers and tourists. He also said that Guwahati would get two new additions to its citizen-first infrastructure approach this November.
Officials believe that the terminal will have a far-reaching impact beyond transportation. Enhanced river connectivity is expected to strengthen Assam's tourism network, promote eco-friendly travel, and make regional journeys more scenic and experiential. The terminal is also expected to serve as a tourist destination, combining river transport with modern amenities and a developed riverfront.
The inauguration of the Guwahati Gateway Terminal marks a new era for Assam's river-based transport infrastructure, with officials describing the terminal as a "waterway equivalent of an airport". The terminal is expected to transform both passenger and cargo transport while giving a major boost to tourism in the region.
