AGARTALA, Aug 4 (TIWN): Indo-Bangladesh waterway project is in progress. In a letter from Minister of State Shipping (Independent Charge) Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh lal Mandavia, it has been told CM Biplab Deb that the letter F.34(5)-TRANS/2018(L)/2016 dated 20.06.2019 regarding construction of temporary jetty on river Gomati from Sonamura up to Doudkandi in Bangladesh as a part of Indo-Bangla Protocol (IBP) route.The Minister said in reply of the letter that he matter was consulted by the Minister with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). “After taking a view of the recommendation of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of India and Bangladesh Govt has through its High Commissioner in Dhaka, requested Govt of Bangladesh to accord in-principle approval for inclusion of Sonamura-Doudhkandi stretch of Gomati river as a part of the “Indo-Bangladesh Protocol” route. On receipt of confirmation from Bangladesh, the Sonamura-Doudkandi stretch would be included as a part of IBP route in the second addendum to PIWTT to be signed in the next Shipping Secretary Level talks between these two countries” the Minister told Tripura CM.

He also mentioned, “Movements of vessels of river on river Gomati between India and Bangladesh for providing water-way connectivity in Tripura would be permissible only after inclusion of the Sonamura-Daukandi stretch as a part of IBP route. Therefore, the construction of Jetty/Terminal at Sonamura would serve the purpose will be possible only after Bangladesh Govt permits.