New Cargo Transit Route Set To Open Connecting Northeast India And Bangladesh; Chittagong Port To Act As The Main Access Point

India and Bangladesh are soon going to begin operations for transit and transhipment of cargo between Northeastern India and Bangladesh with Chittagong port as the main access point, as per Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.

"We are ready for the start of transit and transhipment of goods between Bangladesh and the northeastern region of India through Chittagong. Trial runs were completed and all arrangements for immigration and customs formalities on the Bangladesh side are also ready," Chowdhury told PTI.

The immigration office on the Indian side in Sabroom is nearly finished and was recently inspected by the Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha.

With access to Chittagong port — which is just 70 km from Sabroom, Tripura is set to become the ‘Gateway of North East’ to elevate the regional economy.

On 9 March, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the Maitree Setu, also known as the 'friendship bridge' — spanning over the river Feni and connecting Sabroom with Bangladesh.

After the bridge is made operational, it will also help Bangladesh's trade with Nepal and Bhutan, Chowdhury said.

In addition, the minister stated that the governments of India and Bangladesh will collaborate to revamp the Ashuganj port located on the river Meghna — which is approximately 50 km away from Agartala, the capital city of Tripura.

“Recently we have procured land for developing the port. For developing infrastructure like construction of jetty and other works, the Indian government has agreed to spend Rs 400 crore and after it releases the money, full-scale works would be started”, he said.

As per the report, the government of Japan is also constructing a new deep-sea port in Matarbari, Cox's Bazar, near Chittagong port, which is anticipated to be finished by 2027.

The Minister expressed that the relationship between Japan, Bangladesh and India is cordial and after the completion of the Matarbari port, a huge investment is expected there, which will assist in development of both Bangladesh and India’s northeastern region.