On September 3, 2020, the Daukandi (Bangladesh) – Sonamura (Tripura) Inland Waterway Protocol route has been operationalized giving further boost to bilateral trade between India-Bangladesh relations under Protocol for Inland Water Trade & Transit (PIWTT). This is the first ever export consignment from Bangladesh to Tripura through the inland waterways.
- Bangladeshi vessel, MB Premier carrying cement started from Daukandi on September 03, 2020, after getting permission from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), and will reach Sonamura on September 05, 2020, traversing 93 kms along the river Gumti.
- The cargo would be received in the presence of the Chief Minister (CM) of Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Riva Ganguly Das.
- It should be noted that this operationalization will provide an economical, faster, safer and environment friendly mode of transport and will result in substantial economic benefits to local communities on both sides.
- In the last one year, approx. 3.5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) of cargo was transported between India and Bangladesh on the protocol routes.
Background:
The PIWTT was signed between India and Bangladesh in 1972 to provide inland waterways connectivity between the two countries, particularly with the North Eastern Region of India. This PIWTT was further expanded on May 20, 2020 with the inclusion of additional routes and ports of calls. Read India Bangladesh sign pact to operationalise 5 more ports of call & 2 new routes.
Recent Related News:
On July 27, 2020, Indian Railways handed over the specifically modified 10 railway broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh, which will help in handling the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh. All locomotives can attain speed of up to 120 km per hour and have a residual life of 28 years or more. The move was part of a sharpened focus on India’s “neighbourhood first” policy.
About Bangladesh:
Capital– Dhaka
Currency– Bangladeshi taka
President– Mohammad Abdul Hamid
