The Tripura government has requested the Centre to introduce inland waterway transport in the northeastern state, aiming to enhance connectivity and reduce transportation costs.
In a letter to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury proposed linking the Gomati River in Tripura with the Meghna River system in Bangladesh through the Sonamura-Daudkandi protocol route.
"Initiative may be taken for linking Sonamura-Daudkandi waterway to ports in Bangladesh such as Ashuganj, Mongla, and Chittagong... further connecting with important Indian rivers such as Ganga, Brahmaputra, Barak and ultimately to connect Haldia port in West Bengal through sea routes and Sittwe port of Kaladan project in Myanmar," Chowdhury stated in the letter.
Experts have highlighted that the operationalisation of the Sonamura-Daudkandi protocol route will significantly reduce the cost of transporting goods between India and Bangladesh.
Additionally, Chowdhury requested the Centre to approve the purchase of six to ten passenger vessels to boost tourism and facilitate the crossing of the Gomati River by commuters.
He also urged approval for the purchase of a cruise ship and six passenger vessels to enhance tourism in Dumbur Lake.
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