December 26, 2018: Significant step forward was made in fulfilling dream of having waterway connection between Tripura and Bangladesh as a four-member delegation of Union Shipping Ministry led by Shashibhushan Shukla – member (Traffic) of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) called on Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb at secretariat in Agartala today after visiting proposed River port site at Sonamura. The Chief Minister was apprised of the details of setting up waterways between Sonamura and Ashuganj of Bangladesh.
Earlier, the four-member delegates inspected proposed site for goods loading and unloading from ships at Sonamura today.
Led by Shukla, the delegates – RP Khare, Senior Consultant, NER of IWAI, Noida, Surendra Singh director IWAI, Guwahati and RK Singh deputy director IWAI, Noida –visited Sonamura. They first inspected Srimantapur Land Custom Station.
It is reported, the visiting team opined in favour of setting up river port by the side of the LCS – on the eastern side of River Gomati. Later the team visited Durgapur village located on the western bank of the Gomati River. The SDM Saju Ahmed accompanied the visiting team.
Even though, the delegates did not talk to media, as necessary infrastructure for import-export is already available at Srimantapur, it is expected that chances of setting up port at Srimantapur is greater, local sources said.
The delegates informed the Chief Minister about plannings on waterways and small ship services from Ashuganj port of Bangladesh to Sonamura. Discussing several aspects of the plan in details, delegates also focused on impediments and discussed with Deb about solutions for speedy implementation of the plan.
A government press release stated, delegates pondered about ways to start dredging in Gomati River to make it navigable from coming January. It is reported, delegates held detailed discussion over the issue. The Chief Minister assured all sorts of co-operations from the State Government. Highlighting importance of the waterways, Biplab Deb said, waterways from Ashuganj of Bangladesh to Sonamura in Tripura will slash down cost and expenditure of goods transportation. Moreover, the waterways will enhance trade and bi-lateral relationship between India and Bangladesh – and of course, Tripura will be benefitted, Deb commented and hoped, Once the port at Sonamura becomes operational, Tripura will emerge as logistics hub.
