The agreement in this regard was signed between India and Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi
Goods to and from India's northeast can now be transported through Bangladeshi territory, providing a major boost to connectivity with rest of India and cutting down the cost and time of travel.
Under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) signed between Bangladesh and India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi, Dhaka has allowed two of its major ports -- the Chattogram and Mongla - for movement of goods to and from India through its territory.
Calling the development an outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "successful foreign policy", Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent charge) Mansukh Mandaviya said, "Shorter distance and coastal shipping benefits will make NE states' products competitive in the market."
The agreement allows use of Bangladeshi waterways, rail, road and other means of transport. Eight routes have been provided under the agreement and will connect landlocked Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya.
These routes are Chattogram/Mongla Port to Agartala in Tripura via Akhura in Bangladesh, Chattogram/Mongla Port to Dawki in Meghalaya via Tamabil in Bangladesh, Chattogram/Mongla Port to Sutarkandi (Assam) via Sheola in Bangladesh and Chattogram/Mongla Port to Srimantpur in Tripura via Bibirbazar in Bangladesh.
Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura will be directly connected to the sea via Chattogram and Mongla ports and by consequence other Indian ports.
Distance between Kolkata and Agartala by road is 2000 km, this will reduce to just 810 km since the port of Chattogram is 600 km from Kolkata while it is only 21o km from Agartala.
The second busiest port of Bangladesh, Mongla port is even closer to Kolkata.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "File Photo:")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}