IWTTP reduces Kolkata-Agartala distance by over 1,000 km

With formal inauguration of the revised Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol (IWTTP) with the provision of third-country access, Indian goods are now entering Tripura through Bangladesh by using the Ashuganj port on River Meghna, about 45 km from here.
"A shipment of 1,005 tonnes of iron rods arrived here on Sunday through Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh.
"This was possible because of the revised IWTTP with the provision of third-country that was formally inaugurated on June 16," Manager of the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) and In-charge of Agartala-Akhaura Integrated check post, Debasish Nandy, told PTI.

Bangladesh Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan inaugurated the transit facility at Ashuganj port.
"Now many more consignments of goods will enter Tripura by using the waterways of Bangladesh through Ashuganj port. A consignment of pulses will reach here soon. For transshipment of iron rods, the rural development department of Tripura government had to pay tax at the rate of Rs 192 per tonne," Nandy said.
The protocol was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June last year. The facility has reduced the distance between Kolkata and Agartala from 1,650 km to 500 km and subsequently reduced transport cost and time.

The revised IWTTP also facilitates the Bangladesh government or its people to use Indian territory for transshipment and gives them access to Nepal and Bhutan.
Earlier, as a goodwill gesture in 2012, Bangladesh allowed India to carry over-sized and heavy machines for India's Palatna power project by using this water route and Ashuganj port free of cost.
"India had long been seeking transit facility for its land locked Northeast region, which is being implemented now. Our state being the closest neighbour of Bangladesh, has been immensely benefited," Tripura transport and power minister Manik Dey, said.