The much-awaited river trade route between Rajshahi and Murshidabad in India has opened today (February 12).

Sultanganj River Port under Godagari Upazila in the district opened aiming at strengthening trade and commerce between Bangladesh and India.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated the river port in the presence of Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma at 11:15 am.

On the first day at 11:30 am, some 11.5 tonnes of garment waste fabric (Jhut) were sent from Bangladesh to India via this route.

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 also attended the programme as special guests.

According to authorities, initially the river port will be connected to the Maya Port of Murshidabad via Padma River.

The river port has been launched 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 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.

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

It will generate job opportunities and lower the prices of different commodities due to the low transportation costs when the river port becomes fully operational.

BDST: 1257 HRS, FEB 12, 2024
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