Kopili River
Why it matters?
Assam resumed intra-state cargo movement after over a decade with the operationalisation of National Waterway-57 on the Kopili River. A trial run transported 300 MT of cement, marking a major step in sustainable river transport.
What you should know?
Kopili River is designated as National Waterway-57 (NW-57) under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
On August 2, 2025, NW-57 was operationalised with the first cargo trial movement in Assam after more than a decade.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the nodal agency under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways responsible for the development, regulation, and maintenance of inland waterways in India.
Other operational waterways in Assam include:
NW-2 (Brahmaputra River)
NW-16 (Barak River)
NW-31 (Dhansiri River)
NW-57 (Kopili River)
Kopili River
The River Kopili is one of the important major tributaries of the Brahmaputra on its left bank.
It originates from the Saipong Reserve Forest situated in south east of Meghalaya and passes through the borders of Meghalaya, North Cachar hills and karbi anglong and enters the plains in Nagaon district of Assam and finally joins the Brahmaputra at Kopilimukh.
The Kopili Hydro Electric Project is built on this river by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).
The river has been severely polluted by acid mine drainage from coal mining in Meghalaya (especially rat-hole mining), affecting aquatic life and water quality.