BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 20th February 2024: Transport Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, announced on Tuesday that the central government has implemented several initiatives to boost bilateral maritime trade with neighboring Bangladesh. Currently, Tripura’s communication system has undergone significant development encompassing road, rail, air, and waterways.
Chowdhury made these statements during the virtual inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Inland Waterways Transport Terminal in Srimantapur, Sonamura, under Sepahijala District, an initiative led by the Government of India’s Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
He highlighted the transformative shift in trade routes, explaining that previously, goods were transported from distant ports like Colombo, Singapore, or Klang for trade between India and Bangladesh. However, now, Indian goods destined for the North Eastern region can efficiently utilize the Chittagong port.
The Minister emphasized the versatility for traders from Kolkata, who can now employ multiple transportation modes to reach destinations such as Chittagong, Mongla, or the Northeast region. Bangladesh has granted permission for various routes, including Chittagong/Mongla to Agartala (Tripura), Chittagong/Mongla to Dawki (Meghalaya), Chittagong/Mongla to Sutarkandi (Assam), and Chittagong/Mongla to Srimantpur (Tripura).
Chowdhury underlined the importance of a robust communication system for economic development, citing the state’s comprehensive network covering road, railway, air, and water transport in all directions. He particularly highlighted the 93 km Sonamura-Daudkandi waterway as a milestone for Tripura’s communication system.
Referring to the ‘Act East’ policy of 2014, he noted its significant role in deepening ties with littoral countries in the Gulf region and the broader Indo-Pacific region. He mentioned a recent report that identified the northeastern region of India as a key player in fostering closer ties in the Gulf region through cooperative frameworks between India, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
