INDIA and Bangladesh have reached agreements to use two ports for goods movement between the two as wells as a pact on cruise ships to boost to waterway connectivity, reports the Press Trust of India
INDIA and Bangladesh have reached agreements to use two ports for goods movement between the two as wells as a pact on cruise ships to boost to waterway connectivity, reports the Press Trust of India. The development is the result of secretary-level talks between the two nations and the work of the Standing Committee meeting under Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT).
'The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services,' said Indian Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna.
'In addition to this, an addendum to Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh has been signed for inclusion of Dhubriin India and Pangaonin Bangladesh as new Ports of Call,' the secretary said.
Bangladeshi Shipping Secretary Abdus Samad said these agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, giving an impetus to trade and tourism.
The new arrangement will facilitate movement of fly-ash, cement, construction materials etc from India to Bangladesh through IWT on Rupnarayanriver.
'Further, both sides agreed to declare Badarpur on river Barak (NW 16) as an Extended Port of Call of Karimganj in Assam and Ghorasal of Ashuganj in Bangladesh on reciprocal basis. The Indian side proposed for extension of the protocol routes from Kolkata up to Silchar in Assam,' the secretary said.
Currently 3.5 million tonnes are transported on protocol routes through inland waterways which is expected to increase substantially after the declaration of additional ports of call and extension of protocol routes.
The north eastern states would be connected directly to the ports of Kolkata and Haldia in India and Mongla in Bangladesh through waterways which would facilitate movement EXIM cargo and would also reduce the logistic costs, he said.
