Shantanu Thakur to Inaugurate Historic Trial Movement of Cargo Vessels between Maia and Sultanganj Ports

Maia:  In a significant stride towards enhancing trade and connectivity between India and Bangladesh, the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, is set to flag-off the first trial movement of vessels between Maia Port in India and Sultanganj Port in Bangladesh on Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route no. 5 & 6. The event is scheduled for February 12, 2024, from Maia Inland Customs Port in West Bengal.

The waterway route from Maia (IBP route) to Dhubri (NW-2) via Aricha is poised to bring about a reduction in distance by approximately 930 kilometers compared to the existing waterway route from Dhulian-Maia-Kolkata-IBP-Dhubri. This strategic move aligns with the Act East Policy, a cornerstone of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s government.

The cargo vessels, carrying stone aggregates, mark the commencement of a trial run that holds the promise of transforming the transportation landscape between the two nations. The trial movement aims to assess the feasibility and efficiency of the waterway route and explore its potential to facilitate smoother trade and connectivity.

The riverine distance between Port of Call Maia in India and Port of Call Sultanganj in Bangladesh spans 16 kilometers, with 4.5 kilometers in Indian waters and the remaining 11.5 kilometers in Bangladesh. This initiative is expected to shift a substantial 2.6 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of export cargo from road to waterways, further optimizing transport logistics.

The event will witness the presence of transport and state transport ministers of the West Bengal government, along with the Member of Parliament from Jangipur Lok Sabha constituency and Members of the state legislature from Raghunathganj and Lalgola legislative constituencies, among other dignitaries.

The historic trial movement follows the State Visit of H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, to India in September 2022. During the visit, both nations expressed a commitment to explore direct shipping links and implement riverine services under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) routes 5 & 6 (Dhulian to Rajshahi – extension to Aricha) and 9 & 10 (Daudkandi to Sonamura). This collaborative effort signifies a key milestone in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering economic growth in the region.