Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) organised the traders’ meet at Paro, Bhutan, as a multi-stakeholder forum bringing together participants from India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan to discuss the challenges and opportunities in inland waterway trade, with a special focus on the Dhubri–Chilmari route. The objective was to provide a neutral space
where traders, small boat operators, government officials, academics, NGOs, and industry experts could openly share experiences, highlight operational difficulties, and propose practical recommendations. The meeting underscored the importance of inland waterways as a sustainable and cost-effective trade route, while also acknowledging the structural and institutional issues that hinder their full potential.