India Launches First Riverine Lighthouses on Brahmaputra

New navigation infrastructure on Brahmaputra

India Launches First Riverine Lighthouses on Brahmaputra: India has initiated the construction of the country’s first-ever riverine lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River, marking an important step in strengthening inland water transport. The foundation stones for the project were laid by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The project will establish four modern riverine lighthouses along National Waterway-2 (NW-2) with a total investment of ₹84 crore. These structures will support 24×7 navigation, improve cargo movement and encourage tourism along the river corridor in Northeast India.

Static GK fact: The Brahmaputra River is one of the major transboundary rivers of Asia and flows through China (as Yarlung Tsangpo), India and Bangladesh before entering the Bay of Bengal.

Locations and structural features

The Riverine Lighthouses Project will be implemented at Pandu, Bogibeel, Silghat and Biswanath Ghat, all located along the 891-km National Waterway-2 corridor from Dhubri to Sadiya in Assam.

Each lighthouse will be approximately 20 metres tall and powered entirely by solar energy, ensuring sustainable operation in remote riverine locations. These structures will guide vessels navigating the river during night-time operations and difficult weather conditions.

The lighthouses are designed to support navigation up to 14 nautical miles geographically and 8–10 nautical miles through luminous range. This capability will significantly enhance safety for cargo vessels and passenger boats operating in the region.

Static GK Tip: National Waterway-2 (NW-2) is one of India’s major declared inland waterways and runs along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, covering nearly 891 km.

Strategic importance of the four sites

The selected lighthouse locations are strategically positioned along major navigation and cargo points of the Brahmaputra corridor.

Pandu, located near Guwahati, is a key river port handling significant cargo movement. Bogibeel in Dibrugarh district lies near the important Bogibeel Bridge, which connects Assam’s north and south banks.

Silghat in Nagaon district functions as an important cargo transshipment hub, particularly for coal and fertiliser. Meanwhile, Biswanath Ghat will host the only lighthouse on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, improving navigation safety in that stretch.

These installations will guide vessels traveling across the Brahmaputra navigation channel, particularly through areas where shifting river morphology often makes navigation difficult.

Boost to inland water transport in Northeast

The development of riverine lighthouses comes at a time when inland water transport in the Northeast is witnessing rapid expansion. Cargo traffic on National Waterway-2 recorded a 53 percent increase during FY 2024-25, highlighting growing reliance on river transport.

The Brahmaputra corridor plays a crucial role in transporting commodities such as Assam tea, coal, fertilisers and agricultural produce. Efficient navigation infrastructure will further improve supply chain connectivity and reduce logistics costs in the region.

Round-the-clock navigation enabled by these lighthouses will also encourage river tourism and passenger movement, strengthening economic integration in Northeast India.

Static GK fact: The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) is the central authority responsible for maintaining marine navigation aids along India’s coastline and waterways.

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India Launches First Riverine Lighthouses on Brahmaputra: