Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
India & Bangladesh signed 3 agreements to enhance waterways connectivity
India & Bangladesh signed three agreements to enhance waterways connectivity: Details, Aim, Highlights
India and Bangladesh on 25th October 2018 have signed three agreements, including one to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for goods movement, for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity between the two nations.
India & Bangladesh also signed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for movement of passenger and cruise services. They also signed an addendum to Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between for inclusion of Dhubri in India and Pangaon in Bangladesh as new ports.
The SOP for movement of passengers and cruise vessels on inland protocol route and coastal shipping routes which would enable river cruise services between Kolkata-Dhaka-Guwahati-Jorhat and back was also finalized.
India-Bangladesh also agreed to include Rupnarayan river (National Waterway-86) from Geonkhali to Kolaghat in the protocol route and to declare Kolaghat in West Bengal and Chilmari in Bangladesh as new ports of call.
The new arrangement will facilitate the movement of fly ash, cement and construction materials from India to Bangladesh (NW-18) on the Rupnarayan river.
All these agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between India-Bangladesh, giving an exposure to trade and tourism.
Earlier on 24th October 2018, the secretary-level talks in the 19th edition of the Standing Committee meeting under ‘Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade’ (PIWTT) was also held.
