Cargo vessel traversal from Sultanganj in Godagari upazila in Rajshahi to Maya port in Murshidabad of India’s West Bengal started on Monday, intending to enhance trade relations between Bangladesh and India.
Under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury officially opened the cargo vessel movement at 11 a.m. from Sultanganj River Port in Godagari Upazila to Maya Port in Murshidabad, India.
Sultanganj port is located at the tributary of the Padma and the Mahananda rivers.
To commemorate the start of goods transportation between the two countries, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) organised a programme.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mayor and presidium member of Bangladesh Awami League AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, MP of Rajshahi-1 constituency Omar Faruk were present as special guests at the ceremony.
BIWTA Chairman Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa presided over the programme.
Addressing the event, the state minister said, “Bangladesh is moving forward with the policy of friendship with all, malice to none. Relations between Bangladesh and India have reached a new height. Bangladesh is a role model of development. The world is looking at the development of Bangladesh with surprise.”
According to sources, trade with India via the channel lasted until the Indo-Pak conflict in 1965, and the route was later closed.
Rajshahi is 32 kilometers away from Sultanganj by road. Sultanganj has direct road connectivity with greater Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Sirajganj, Rangpur, Dinajpur in North and Faridpur, Kushtia, Khulna and Jessore in west-south region, according to the Shipping Ministry.
After the opening of Sultanganj Port of Call, infrastructure like jetty/gangway, godown, dumping area, parking area and modern goods handling crane, conveyor belt will be developed on the banks of the Padma River for transporting, storing and shifting goods in Sultanganj area. Massive naval commercial activities will be started in Godagari/Sultanganj and adjoining Rajshahi areas, it said.
