KOPILI RIVER – NATIONAL WATERWAY 57

Current Context: Kopili River in Assam has been declared National Waterway 57, and was recently made operational to boost river-based trade and sustainable logistics.

ABOUT KOPILI RIVER

• Location: Meghalaya and Assam (Northeast India)
• Origin: Saipong Reserve Forest, North Cachar Hills District, Meghalaya
• Length: 256 kilometres
• Tributary of: Brahmaputra River (largest south bank tributary in Assam)
• Districts Covered: North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Morigaon

Importance:

• Plays a major role in irrigation and river navigation.
• Helps in cultivation of crops like rice (winter, summer, autumn), mustard, wheat, and rape seed.