Agartala, Oct 31, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk
Agartala, Oct 31: The Tripura government proposed extension of Sonamura- Daudkandi Protocal Route from Srimantapur in Sonamura to Maharani in Udaipur, an official said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, special secretary of Transport department Sandeep R. Rathhod said, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs gave approval for extension of the proposed 40-km Protocol Route.
He said, another proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for development of international waterways based on the Feni river and establishing connectivity with Chittagong Port in Bangladesh.
In this matter, he said, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) already conducted an Automated Hydrographic Survey to define if this waterway is fit for movement of vessels.
The Sonamura- Daudkandi stretch of Gomti river was declared international Indi-Bangla Protocol Route in May 2022.
The special secretary said, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways assigned M/s Coastal Consolidated Structures Pvt. Limited, Vijayawada to build a permanent jetty at Sonamura at the project cost of Rs. 6.91 crore.
He also said, the PWD (WR) and Tourism department have been assigned for dredging and construction of nine floating jetties at the total cost of Rs. 24.52 crore.
Speaking to the media, he also said, with the joint initiative of the central and the state governments, an initiative has been taken to develop a Multimodal Logistics Hub at Sabroom; it would have facilities like special economic zone, integrated check-post and Rail Yard.
According to the special secretary, work for preparing DPR for another Multimodal Logistics Hub has commenced at the bank of the River Gomati in Udaipur. The Transport department has been given 20 acres land and there is a proposal for allocating more 36.33 acres land.
Besides, a plan has been initiated to connect Tripura with Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project via Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Ashuganj ports in Bangladesh and Kolkata through Sittwe and Paletwa towards the goal of making the state the gateway of South-East Asia, he said.
The developments and achievements in rail, air and road connectivity were also elaborated in the press conference.