<span style="color: #222222;">Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the Centre has given emphasis on developing inland waterways of the country. Talking to newspersons in Guwahati, Mr. Sonowal said that waterways is the most cost effective way of communication. He said that for the smooth movement of cargo vessels, dredging of Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers has already begun.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr. Sonowal expressed hope that by the mid of this year, movement of cargo vessels are likely to begin from Varanasi and Haldia to Pandu in Assam. Mr. Sonowala said that the dredging and movement of cargo ships would help in the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Minister further said that for the benefit of the people of North East, a ship repairing centre is being set up at Pandu port.</span>