The Sonamura – Daukandi inland waterways route connecting Tripura to Bangladesh is set to become operational soon.
- The route connects Tripura to the National Waterways of India through Bangladesh for the first time.
- A trial run has commenced from Daukandi and would conclude at Sonamura on the 5th of September in the presence of Chief Minister of Tripura.
- The trial run from Daudkandi in Bangladesh to Sonamura in Tripura started on September 3, 2020 as the MV Premier sailed from Daudkandi with 50 metric tonne of cement cargo.
- There is a protocol for inland water trade and transit between India and Bangladesh and this protocol was signed in 1972.
- It provides for inland water connectivity, enhances bilateral trade between the two countries and also connectivity to the north eastern region of India.
- Under this protocol in 2019-20, about 3.5 million metric tonnes of cargo was transported between India and Bangladesh through various protocol routes.
- After signing of the second addendum to this protocol, two more routes have been added and the number of routes have gone up to ten.
(Source: AIR)
