As per 2nd addendum on protocol agreement, small boats and ferries with 50-ton capacity can now move between Sonamura in India and Daudkhandi in Bangladesh
July 06, 2020: Tripura has successfully completed the work for the construction of the floating jetty in Sonamura within three weeks of time after signing of the 2nd Addendum on protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade between India and Bangladesh.
Union minister of state for shipping Mansukh Mandaviya hailed the efforts taken by the government.
Taking to Twitter, Mansukh wrote, “This floating jetty of Sonamura, Tripura, is built in just 3 weeks! I appreciate the efficiency of Inland Waterways for putting Sonamura on the map of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route and glad that it’s now a custom port which will bring economic development in North East”.
As per the agreement, small boats and ferries with capacity of 50 ton goods can move between the protocol route shared by India and Bangladesh.
In response to the tweet, chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb lauded the efforts of the Union minister for ensuring the progress of the work to continue even during the time of pandemic.
“In this Pandemic time building floating jetty in just 3weeks has been possible under PM @narendramodi Ji’s visionary leadership & the continuous support of @mansukhmandviya ji. On behalf of Tripura people I thank GOI for putting Sonamura on the map of Indo-Bangla Protocol Route”, Deb wrote.
Speaking with EastMoJo, workers engaged in the construction said the materials including over 700 plastic boxes for the floating were transported from Pune, Maharasthra and it took them barely 20 days to complete the construction of the floating jetty.
Earlier, on June 20, with the signing of the 2nd Addendum on protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade between India and Bangladesh, the Sonamura- Daudkhandi stretch of Gumti River (93 km) was approved as India-Bangladesh protocol route.
Visiting the port site where the work for commissioning the inland waterways connectivity On May 29, chief minister Deb said, “Both India and Bangladesh signed the agreement and have decided to start the trade amidst the pandemic. I hope that ships will start from the temporary jetty which is being set up in 3 to 4 months time.”
He also said that for now small ships and boats can move with 50 tons of capacity easily since it is monsoon season and the river has sufficient water for the movement through the temporary jetty.
“Although full-fledged operation would require a permanent jetty, but for now, a temporary jetty would be set up to handle traffic. Work for the permanent jetty would continue as it requires 3 years time to complete”, Deb added.
The Protocol Route will improve the connectivity of Tripura and adjoining states with Bangladesh’s economic centres and will help the hinterland of both the countries to a great extent and also boost the bilateral trade between both the countries. This route will connect all existing IBP routes.
Source: East Mojo
