India and Bangladesh have signed a slew of pacts for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.
"The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India, Indian Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna said.
“A Standard Operating Procedure has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services," he said Thursday evening, after he inked the pacts with his Bangladeshi counterpart in Delhi, reports Xinhua.
An addendum to "Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade" between India and Bangladesh has also been signed for the inclusion of Dhubri in India and Pangaonin in Bangladesh as new ports of call.
These agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, giving an impetus to trade and tourism, an official release said.
The Indian side has also proposed for extension of the protocol routes from the eastern city of Kolkata up to Silchar town in the northeastern state of Assam, the government said.
Currently 3.5 MMT cargo is transported on protocol routes through inland waterways and it is expected to increase substantially after declaration of additional ports of call and extension of protocol routes between the two countries.