Brahmaputra for Tata’s Assam plant

 In a major boost to Assam’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem and inland waterway logistics, a 189-tonne over-dimensional cargo (ODC) carrying critical semiconductor equipment has been successfully transported via the Brahmaputra river to support Tata Group’s upcoming semiconductor facility in the state. The consignment was moved under the supervision of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), highlighting the growing role of National Waterway-2 in handling heavy and specialised industrial cargo.
The equipment began its journey from Diamond Harbour in West Bengal and was shipped through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, entering Assam at Dhubri before reaching Pandu port near Guwahati on the Brahmaputra. From Pandu, the cargo is set to be unloaded at Silghat and transported by road to the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) facility in Morigaon district.
Officials said the successful movement of such a heavy and sensitive consignment demonstrates the viability of inland waterways as a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to road and rail transport, especially for oversized cargo. The use of the Brahmaputra also helps reduce logistical challenges, congestion and risks associated with moving heavy equipment through narrow highways in the Northeast.
The shipment is a crucial component for Tata’s ₹27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and testing unit coming up in Assam, one of India’s most significant technology investments in the region. The project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs and position Assam as a key hub in India’s semiconductor supply chain.
The development also underscores the strategic importance of regional connectivity and cooperation with Bangladesh under the protocol route, which has increasingly been used for commercial cargo movement to the Northeast. With this shipment, Assam marks another milestone in combining infrastructure development, advanced manufacturing and inland waterway transport to drive industrial growth.