By TC News Desk
Agartala, 2nd August 2024: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Inland Waterways, Sarbananda Sonwal on Friday addressed the Parliament on the progress and future plans for the transportation of goods by ship or watercraft across the country since 2013-14. This discussion was prompted by Starred Question No. 170, raised by MP Biplab Kumar Deb.
Following the parliamentary session, MP Biplab Kumar Deb met with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to discuss several key demands concerning Tripura. Deb emphasized the urgent need for the speedy completion of waterway work through Daudkandi in Bangladesh to Srimantapur in Sonamura. He also advocated for the extension of this protocol route from Sonamura to Udaipur. “If goods are transported by water, the cost can be greatly reduced as compared to road. As a result, the price of goods will decrease,” Deb stated.
During the discussion, Deb highlighted the allocation of Rs 24.52 crore on February 22, 2022, during his tenure as Chief Minister. This funding was earmarked for the construction of nine new jetties and the excavation of the Howrah river gorge, as well as the acceleration of works up to 20 kilometers of the Sonamura-Daudkandi protocol route. “A large part of this has already been discussed with the Bangladesh High Commission,” Deb noted, stressing the importance of extending the route to Udaipur for enhanced goods transportation and commerce.
However, the project has faced several challenges. Local objections to the disposal of sand and soil from excavation work have slowed progress. “If that excavated soil or sand is to be disposed of a lot, the cost is going up significantly compared to the project allocation,” Deb explained. Additionally, the slow pace of work in Bangladesh has contributed to delays. The central government is reportedly giving special importance to resolving these issues quickly.
Biplab Kumar Deb, who took charge as Chief Minister of Tripura in 2018, has been a strong supporter for launching the water transport route through Bangladesh to reduce transportation costs for heavy and medium goods. His efforts led to the first trial run from Daudkandi in Bangladesh to Sonamura on September 5, 2020. Union Minister Sonowal has assured that the demands raised by Deb will be addressed expeditiously, acknowledging their importance for regional development.
