The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>announced that India's longest river cruise service would begin early next year between Varanasi and Bogibeel, traversing a distance of over four thousand kilometers via Ganga, Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route, and the Brahmaputra. <br />''<br />''He said this while launching multiple projects for the development of the Bogibeel region near Dibrugarh in Assam.  The Union Minister said, the PM Gati Shakti National Master plan is to unlock the huge potential of inland water transportation in Assam using National Waterways 2, our river Brahmaputra.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He emphasized tapping this opportunity and building an economic advantage that will power the whole of Northeast India as the New Engine of growth for India.<br />''<br />'' He said, the Centre is also identifying avenues to promote inland navigation, river cruise tourism, and the construction of suitable terminals across the Brahmaputra.</span>