FCI uses multi modal transport to dispatch rice stock

Consignment leaves Vizag port for Tripura via Bangaladesh

Dispatch of raw rice stock from Visakhapatnam to Agartala in Tripura in the northeast region through multi model transportation ie, sea-river-road started today in the port area. The activity has been undertaken by the Food Corporation of India, AP region, to meet the public distribution system requirements.

It involves transportation of stock from Vizag port to Diamond Habour in Kolkata by a ship. At Diamond Harbour, the stock will be transshipped into barges and taken through river movement up to Bangladesh. Thereafter, it will transit Bangladesh through trucks and again would be boarded from Bangladesh to feed FCI depots in Agartala by trucks.

The movement is regulated by Protocol on Inland Water Trade and Treaty (PIWTT) signed between India Bangladesh governments. The FCI has awarded the multi modal transportation work for carrying initial quantity of 10,000 tonnes to Sarr Freights Corporation, a New Delhi-based company.

With support and cooperation from Vizag port authorities by timely allotment of berthing and loading facilities, the ship mv Allcargo Laxmi with first consignment of 5,000 tonne has started from Vizag port, FCI stated in a released.

The novel venture opens up an alternative route when compared with the conventional dispatch of stock by the rail-road hitherto done from Pubjab/Haryana to Tripura.