Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the river connectivity project from lower Assam’s Dhubri to Upper Assam’s Sadiya will be completed by 2022.

“Once river transport begins, it will not only benefit locals but also boost river tourism,” BJP Dhubri unit president Debamoy Sanyal said. AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam hoped the project is completed in time to boost the economic growth of small towns and villages along the Brahmaputra.

Sitharaman also announced that archaeological sites of Sivasagar in Assam and four others in the country would be developed as iconic sites with on-site museum.

Sivasagar deputy commissioner Lakshmi Priya said, “It is a matter of great pride that our historic city has been declared an iconic site.”

Additional reporting by Kongkon K. Bora in Sivasagar

All Tai Ahom Students Union vice-president Basanta Gogoi said: “We would like to convey our thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Sarbanda Sonowal for their initiatives.”