In a historic milestone, trade via water routes commenced today between India and Bangladesh through the inauguration of river ports at Maiya, West Bengal, and Sultanganj, Bangladesh, along the Ganga river. High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, alongside Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Shipping, Khalid Mahmood Choudhury, jointly inaugurated the Sultanganj, Godagri Port of Call, marking the commencement of operations by flagging off a cargo ship from Sultanganj destined for India’s river port at Maiya. Concurrently, India’s Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, initiated the maiden cargo voyage from Maiya Inland Customs Port.
This significant step aims to curtail transportation costs while fostering trade and enhancing connectivity between the two nations. Both countries anticipate utilizing their river ports primarily for the export of commodities such as stone, fly ash, coal, fruits, vegetables, and spices from India, alongside the import of jute and textiles from Bangladesh.
The Indian High Commission issued a statement emphasizing the strategic importance of this riverine link, foreseeing a revitalized inland waterways ecosystem benefiting both nations. High Commissioner Verma underlined the economic significance of this development, advocating for multimodal connectivity to unlock the full potential of bilateral cooperation. He further hailed the reopening of the Maiya-Sultanganj river route as a boon for local economies on both sides of the border.
