India Bangladesh sign agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity

India Bangladesh sign agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity

India Bangladesh sign agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity

India and Bangladesh signed several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity between the two countries for trade and cruise movements. (October 25, 2018)

Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna, and his Bangladesh counterpart Md. Abdus Samad said, the two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.

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A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services. 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.
 

These agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, giving an impetus to trade and tourism.
 

The two sides agreed to consider inclusion of Rupnarayanriver (National Waterway-86) from Geonkhali to Kolaghat in the protocol route and to declare Kolaghatin West Bengal as new Port of Call. Chilmari was agreed to as a port of call in Bangladesh. The new arrangement will facilitate movement of flyash, cement, construction materials etc from India to Bangladesh through IWT on Rupnarayanriver.