Agartala , Feb 20, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Feb 20: A momentous occasion unfolded in Tripura’s transportation sector when the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal virtually opened the Inland Water Transport Terminal at Srimantapur, Sonamura on Tuesday.

Tripura chief minister Dr Manik Saha addressed the program virtually while state minister for Transport and Tourism Sushanta Chowdhury, secretary Transport Department UK Chakma, Sonamura Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Sarada Chakraborty among others remained present at the inaugural program.

Under the ‘Viksit Bharat Prakalp’, the Rs 6.91 crore project of Inland Waterways Authority of India, aims at improving the waterways connectivity in the state and facilitating trades between Tripura, other Northeastern states and neighbouring Bangladesh.

The central government has taken several steps to increase bilateral maritime trade with neighbouring Bangladesh.

Earlier, goods for trade between the two countries were shipped from Colombo, Singapore or Klang Ports.

But with the inauguration of the Inland Water Transport Terminal at Srimantapur, Sonamura, Indian goods for the Northeastern region can go through Chittagong Port.

Also, Kolkata freighters can use multiple modes of transportation to reach Chittagong, Mongla or the Northeast region.

For this, the Bangladesh government has allowed the use of few routes including; Chittagong/Mongla to Agartala (Tripura), Chittagong/Mongla to Dwaki (Meghalaya), Chittagong/Mongla to Sutarkandi (Assam) and Chittagong /Mongla to Srimantapur (Tripura).

In a video message on the occasion, chief minister Dr Manik Saha said, “The inauguration of the Inland Waterway Transport Terminal will accelerate commercial and economic development and further strengthen the ties between India and Bangladesh”.

“This will not only be a way of import and export of goods between the two countries, but a large number of tourists will also get attracted to the state that in turn will generate employment opportunities”, added the chief minister.

Addressing the inaugural program, Minister for Transport and Tourism Sushanta Chowdhury said, “Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Act-East policy of the government, the Northeastern region including Tripura has seen drastic changes in the recent years”.

“Transportation system of Tripura connecting the rest of the country and abroad has developed by leaps and bounds. Not only roadways, but airways, railways and now waterways have seen immense development”, he said.

Chowdhury added that the people of Tripura now do not have to agitate for development.

“The state government is working with the goal of creating ‘Ek Tripura Srestha Tripura’ with the double engine government in action”, said the Tourism Minister.