India, Bangladesh ink key pacts for cargo, cruise movement: Shipping secy

India and Bangladesh have reached several milestone pacts that include using two ports of the neighbouring nation for goods movement and a pact for cruise movement to give a boost to waterways connectivity, a top official said on Thursday. 

The development comes against the backdrop of secretary-level talks between the two nations and the Standing Committee meeting under 'Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade' (PIWTT) between high-level delegations.   

"The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services," Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna told reporters here. 

"In addition to this, an addendum to 'Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade' (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh has been signed for inclusion of Dhubriin India and Pangaonin Bangladesh as new Ports of Call," the secretary said.

His Bangladesh counterpart Md Abdus Samad and senior officials from both sides were also present.

These agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, giving an impetus to trade and tourism, Krishna said and added the two sides also agreed to consider inclusion of Rupnarayanriver (National Waterway-86) from Geonkhali to Kolaghat in the protocol route and to declare Kolaghatin West Bengal as new Port of Call.

Chilmari was agreed to as a port of call in Bangladesh.

The new arrangement will facilitate movement of fly-ash, cement, construction materials etc from India to Bangladesh through IWT on Rupnarayanriver.

"Further, both sides agreed to declare Badarpur on river Barak (NW 16) as an Extended Port of Call of Karimganj in Assam and Ghorasal of Ashuganj in Bangladesh on reciprocal basis. The Indian side proposed for extension of the protocol routes from Kolkata up to Silchar in Assam," the secretary said.

Currently, 3.5 million tonne cargo is transported on protocol routes through inland waterways which is expected to increase substantially after the declaration of additional Ports of Call and extension of protocol routes.

The North Eastern states would get connected directly to the ports of Kolkata and Haldia in India and Mongla in Bangladesh through waterways which would facilitate movement EXIM cargo and would also reduce the logistic costs, he said.

"In another important understanding reached at between the two countries, the SOP for movement of passengers and cruise vessels on Inland Protocol route and coastal shipping routes have been finalised. These river cruise services are likely to commence between Kolkata - Dhaka - Guwahati - Jorhat and back," the Secretary added.

It was also agreed that a Joint Technical Committee will explore the technical feasibility of operationalisation of Dhulian-Rajshahi protocol route upto Aricha and the reconstruction and opening up of Jangipur navigational lock on river Bhagirathi subject to the provisions of the Treaty between India and Bangladesh on Sharing of Ganga Waters at Farakka,1996.

This move has the potential to reduce the distance to Assam by more than 450 km on the protocol routes.

It was also decided that a Project Management Consultant for supervision and monitoring of dredging of Ashuganj-Zakiganj and Sirajganj-Daikhowa stretches of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route in Bangladesh will be engaged with 80 per cent financial contribution from India and rest by Bangladesh, a statement from the Shipping Ministry said.

A Joint Monitoring Committee has also been constituted for overall monitoring of the dredging works.

To bring about significant reduction in logistics cost and faster delivery of Bangladesh export cargo, Indian side raised the point regarding permitting 'Third country' EXIM Trade under Coastal Shipping Agreementand PIWTT by allowing transhipment through ports on the East Cost of India.

Bangladesh agreed to hold stakeholder consultations and revert on the matter.

Both sides have also agreed for development of Jogighopa as a hub/trans-shipment terminal for movement of cargo to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Bhutan and notifying Munsiganj River terminal by Bangladesh Customs for routing third party Exim cargo through Kolkata Port.

Discussions were also held to make Nakugaon Land Port in Bangladesh and Dalu ICP (India) operational and to connect Gelephu (Bhutan) as tripartite cross-border route.

'Permission for the transportation of third country cargo on protocol routes and coastal shipping routes were also discussed. Inclusion of Dhamra Port, VO Chidambaranar Port (formerly Tuticorin Port) and Kamarajar Port under Coastal Shipping Agreement was also deliberated upon. These will be further discussed in Joint Shipping Committee meeting scheduled in December, 2018," the statement said.