The long-awaited river trade route between Rajshahi in Bangladesh and Murshidabad in India was opened here today aiming at strengthening trade and commerce between Bangladesh and India.
Sultanganj Port of Call under Godagari Upazila in the district has been opened with the main thrust of strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
With this breakthrough, initially the river port was 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.
It is learnt, transportation of goods through the 20-kilometre long riverine route from Sultanganj in Rajshahi to Maya of Lalgola in Murshidabad had been in operation till 1965. The route was closed due to India-Pakistan war in 1965.
With the launching of the route, various commodities could be able
to be transported at a very low cost. Traders from both Bangladesh and India will be benefitted by using the ports.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury accompanied by Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League and Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma declared the river trade route open.
Among others, Omar Faruk Chowdhury, MP, Asaduzzaman Asad, MP, Abdul Wadud, MP, Abul Kalam, MP, and Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Commodore Afir Ahmed Mostafa were present.
They also addressed a public meeting at the same area to mark the opening ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, State Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said the port will contribute a lot towards curtailing transport cost of the imported goods to a greater extent.
Apart from infusing dynamism into Rajshahi’s economy the trade route will generate massive employment opportunities.
Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said 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 departed from Sultanpur port to Maya port to mark the inauguration, with the return cargo from India to be confirmed in the next couple of days.
Mayor Liton said they had been working to launch a river port during the last over five years. It finally happened because of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sincere efforts.
The river port will primarily be used to import stones, fly ash, stones, coal, fruits, and spices from India, as well as to export jute and garments from Bangladesh.
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.
He also said the government has plans to extend the river route to Mongla port and conduct joint capital dredging for the river’s navigability by India and Bangladesh.
A 500-tonne capacity barge in the river is equivalent to 25 trucks on the road, and barges use less fuel oil. Prices of goods will naturally fall.