New Delhi: India can now use two crucial Bangladesh ports – Chittagong and Mongla – for shipment of its cargo, which will cut time and cost significantly, Union Minister for Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandavia said Monday.
The development comes against the backdrop of a pact signed by both nations October 5 in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here.
“Prime Minister Modi’s successful foreign policy initiative has resulted in Bangladesh allowing use of Chittagong and Mongla Ports for movement of goods to and from India..,” Mansukh Lal Mandaviya told mediapersons. The use of these two ports will reduce the distance between Kolkata and the northeast region significantly.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) on use of Chittagong and Mongla ports has been finalised after the two countries signed a MoU June 6, 2015 and an agreement October 25, 2018, the minister said.
The agreement and SOP permit the movement of goods in Bangladesh through waterways, rail, road or multi-modal transport.
“Eight routes are provided under the Agreement which would enable access of North East Region (NER) via Bangladesh. The routes are: Chittagong /Mongla Port to Agartala(Tripura) via Akhura, Chittagong/Mongla Port to Dawki (Meghalaya) via Tamabil, Chittagong/Mongla Port to Sutarkandi (Assam) via Sheola and Chittagong/Mongla Port to Srimantpur (Tripura) via Bibirbazar and vice- versa,” Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.
Cargo transportation through IBP waterway route from Kolkata/Haldia to northeast is limited to 2,000 tonne vessels. Now, larger ships carrying cargo destined for northeast can call at Chittagong and Mongla ports thereby increasing trade volumes and reducing logistic costs, the statement added.
“The expected cargo to the northeast is construction material, iron and steel, fertilizer, consumer goods, POL, cement etc. Foodgrains, fruits, organic products, tea, fish, jute etc are the cargo expected to be transported from the northeast to various parts of India through Chittagong and Mongla ports,” Mansukh Lal Mandaviya said.
PTI
