Water way for economic development
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Aizwal, July 10 2011: An official resolution for quicker development of Inland Water Way for strengthening transportation system in Mizoram was unanimously passed in the 8th Mizoram Legislative Assembly session which started since Thursday, official sources said today.

The issue was raised by the Congress member R.Selthuama.

Moving the Private Member's Resolution R.Selthuama said Inland Water Transport history of the State began with the arrival of Rev.Williams Williams in Aizawl on the 15th March, 1891. He made the journey by boat through Tlawng River and landed in Mizoram to preach the Gospel.

Despite creation of landmark navigation history through the River way back in 1891 there is no meaningful development of the river water way within the last 120 years.

He called for faster development of Inland water way covering all the major rivers of the State.

As many as 11 members participated in the discussion.

Most of them underlined the need for clearance of rocks in the major rivers like Tlawng, Tut, Tuichawng, Kolodyne, Kau, De, Tuichang and Tuivai to accomodate Ferry.

Some of the members also asserted that water transport is the cheapest mode of transport which will contribute alot towards improvement of the economy of the State.

There is a good scope for the development of inland water ways in Mizoram.

Before partition of India in 1947 there was an excellent waterway between Chittagong in Bangladesh and Demagiri in Mizoram through the Karnafuli river.

With coming up of Kaptai dam on the Karnafuli in Bangladesh, a huge area around Demagiri has been submerged.

This has created a good potential of inland water transport in the area.

Another water way in the south was the Kolodyne.

In the north of Mizoram, the most frequently used water way was the Tlawng by which the British used to move men and material from Silchar to Sairang, gateway to Aizawl.

It was a journey of about seven days inward and three days outward.

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