Nagaland: Kenye urges Centre to fast-track Tizu-Zungki waterway

State Power & Parliamentary Affairs minister K.G. Kenye has appealed to the Centre to take up development of the Tizu–Zungki National Waterway-101 with seriousness, highlighting its strategic and economic importance for the region.
Speaking at the 3rd Inland Waterways Development Council Meeting held in Kochi, Kerala on January 23, Kenye thanked the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for declaring Tizu-Zungki as NW-101 via the National Waterways Act, 2016 on March 26, 2016. He, however, stressed that the project should now be pursued in earnest, given the river’s strategic location along the India–Myanmar border and its potential to enhance trade with Southeast Asian countries.
Kenye said development of the waterway could open new avenues for commerce, improve cross-border trade prospects, and strengthen Nagaland’s connectivity with the larger Act East economic framework.
Underscoring the need for seamless and cost-effective transportation in the Northeast, he also submitted a proposal for extending inland waterway connectivity from Lakhimpur to Nagaland through the Barak river system. He said such a link would benefit not only Nagaland but also Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura by boosting inter-state trade, supporting local industries, and facilitating export opportunities.
Kenye further submitted a representation to the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal seeking comprehensive development of water bodies in Nagaland to unlock their economic and transport potential.
He was accompanied by Commissioner & Secretary, Transport, Robert Longchari, and Deputy General Manager, NST, Thomas Y. Kiutsangmong.
It may be recalled that the Tizu–Zungki River system in Nagaland was declared National Waterway-101 (NW-101) via the National Waterways Act, 2016 on March 26, 2016. This 41 km stretch, running from Longmatra to Avakhung, aims to boost inland water transport for cargo and passengers, connecting the region to the Chindwin River in Myanmar.