Central Minister Sarbanand Soniwal will green‑light the first international freight journey from Dibrugarh.

Debrugarh Port, located on the southern coast of Odisha, has recently completed preparations for its first international cargo voyage. To mark this significant step, Minister of Water and Maritime Affairs Sarbanand Sonomwal displayed the green flag at a ceremony held in the port’s main building. The minister said that the development of Debrugarh is an integral part of India’s maritime infrastructure strategy and that this port will play a crucial role in promoting foreign investment and export‑import on the country’s eastern coast.

The green flag was raised on a cargo ship with a total deadweight tonnage of over 70,000. It will first sail on the India‑Australia bilateral trade route. The ship will be loaded with major Indian export goods such as iron ore, chemicals, and agricultural products, while imports from Australia include iron oxide, coal, and technical equipment. Experts believe that activating this route will significantly increase trade volume between the two countries and reduce logistic costs.

The development of Debrugarh Port has been carried out under the National Waterways Policy, which aimed to bring several new ports in the 2020s in line with international standards. The government has also established this port as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), providing foreign investors with tax and regulatory incentives. Trade associations have praised this initiative and expressed hope that Debrugarh...