Rajshahi-Murshidabad river route is set to open on Monday (Feb 12) aiming at strengthening trade and commerce between Bangladesh and India, the two neighbouring countries.

Sultanganj river port under Godagari Upazila in the district will open with the main thrust of strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Muhammad Shah Alam, Sub Assistant Engineer of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said initially the river port will be connected to the Maya Port of Murshidabad, India, via the Padma River.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to inaugurate the river port in the presence of Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma.

Among others, Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League and Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Omar Faruk Chowdhury, MP, and BIWTA Chairman Commodore Afir Ahmed Mostafa will also attend the programme.

Shah Alam said the river port is going to launch under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) as part of the trade agreement between Bangladesh and India.

The protocol was signed in 1972 and renewed on March 31, 2020, to ensure that both countries benefit from their waterways for trade and commerce, he added.

The distance of this route is only 17 kilometres. During the dry season, 200-300 tonnes of goods can be transported in each cargo. During monsoon, transportation of goods will be a bit difficult due to the strong current in the river.

A small ship carrying two tonnes of cotton will depart from Sultanpur port to Maya port on the day of the inauguration, with the return cargo from India to be confirmed in the next couple of days," he added.

BIWTA Assistant Engineer Shah Alam said a control place has already been established at the port ahead of the inauguration.

Apart from this, an approach for the direct loading and unloading of goods onto ships.

BDST: 1705 HRS, FEB 10, 2024
MN/SMS