The new initiative between India and Bangladesh, the Sonamura-Daudkandi inland waterways protocol route between Tripura and Bangladesh would be operationalized on Saturday when the cargo vessel carrying a consignment of cement reaches Sonamura port in Tripura.
The Bangladeshi vessel, M B Premier set sail from Daukandi on September 3 along the river Gumti for the Sonamura port in Sepahijala district of the northeastern state. The route connects Tripura with the National Waterways of India through Bangladesh. Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb had tweeted about the initiative on Thursday.
First Vessel with consignment started its trial run today from Munshiganj, Bangladesh for Sonamura port, Tripura.
With the successful run, Indo-Bangla waterways will open up new avenues for economic development in both the countries where Tripura will play an important role. pic.twitter.com/Y2vV90XA45
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) September 3, 2020
The inland waterways protocol route would be made operational in the presence of the chief minister and chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) when the cargo vessel arrives. The 93 km route would provide a faster, safer and economically viable mode of transportation of goods for both nations and boost trade. Traders from both sides had requested this trial run to operationalize the protocol route. “It is a historic day for Tripura. A total of five crew members has left for Tripura for the first trial run. The vessel is supposed to reach Tripura on Saturday. However, due to the flow of the river, the vessel will take a little longer time to reach Tripura,” All Tripura Merchant Association (ATMA) general secretary Sujit Roy said.
