India intends to conduct a survey to inspect the feasibility of begining a new waterway initiative between Tripura and Bangladesh.
The survey will be carried out by the Rail India Technical and Economical Services (RITES), which is under the Ministry of Railways.
The prospect of the waterways is rivers with navigation facilities for smooth movement of vessels, which would make the increased movement of goods between the two countries easier.
A preparatory feasibility study to develop new waterways between Tripura’s Gomti and Howrah rivers and Bangladesh’s Meghna and Titas has already been conducted by RITES, says a senior official of the Tripura Transport Department. RITAS is now working on an in-depth study needed for providing a detailed project report (DPR) to the Tripura government.
India and Bangladesh share a land border of 2,979 km and a riverine boundary of 1,116 km, besides 54 rivers, including eight flowing from Tripura.
According to the official, upon completing the project, a proposal, relating to formal initiation of the procedure, would be submitted to the Ministry of Shipping and other Ministries.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIW-TA) are currently operating services between West Bengal and Assam.
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Dredging Today Staff, December 6, 2011;