Waterway projects to boost N-E connectivity

Waterway projects to boost N-E connectivity

News

The Centre is working on developing a network of waterway projects in the North-East and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh to enhance connectivity to the region as part of its Act East policy.

Important facts

Current scenario of connectivity in North-East

The north-eastern states of India are dependent on a narrow stretch of about 22-kilometre land (popularly known as the Chicken neck) in West Bengal’s Siliguri for connectivity to the rest of India

Proposed International Waterway Projects

India and Bangladesh:

• 309-kilometre Ashuganj-Zakiganj stretch of the Kushiyara River
• 146-kilometre Sirajganj-Daikhowa of Jamuna River

Note: India-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), renewed in 2015 allows Indian and Bangladeshi vessels to use identified waterways in the two countries. The protocol is an agreement between the two governments for the transportation of goods and keeping their respective waterways navigable while providing infrastructure facilities

India and Myanmar:

• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: It connects Kolkata to Sittwe port by sea from there to Paletwa through river Kaladan and finally to Zorinpui at Mizoram border by road.

Significance of the Projects

1. Proposed Sirajganj-Daikhowa waterway will facilitate connectivity between National Waterway-1 (the Ganga) and National Waterway-2 (the Brahmaputra)
2. It will also enable movement of larger vessels from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Assam’s Sadiya, via Bangladesh.
3. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is expected to contribute to North-East’s economic development by opening up the sea route to it.
4. The Kaladan project will also reduce pressure on the Siliguri Corridor