Guwahati, Sept. 7 -- Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday announced that a Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) under the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) will be established in Guwahati to provide seafarer certification and safety services in the Northeast.

Sonowal also said Cotton University and the National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI), Patna, would explore collaboration in maritime studies and student exposure programmes.

He made the announcements while addressing the 44th Manik Chandra Barooah Memorial National Debate Competition at Cotton University in Guwahati, which brought together student debaters from institutions across India and Bhutan.

According to Sonowal,...