The government on Friday said it is fully geared for maiden EXIM cargo movement through the Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and containers of steel fillings are being loaded at Haldia port for Dhaka.
The Export-Import (EXIM) cargo will be moved through National Waterways 1 (river Ganga), NW 97 (Sundarbans) and IBP route by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), it said.
"IWAI is fully ready for the first ever EXIM cargo movement through IBP route," Shipping Minister Mansukh L Mandavia said.
"Sixty-four containers of steel fillings/pig iron ingots are being loaded at HDC Haldia for Dhaka via NWI, Sundarbans and IBP route," he added.
The minister termed it a landmark and proud moment for IWAI.