ZCZC
BSS-44
BANGLADESH-INDIA-SHIPPING
Bangladesh, India finalise procedure for cruise vessels movements
NEW DELHI, Oct 24, 2018 (BSS) – Bangladesh and India today finalised a
procedure for trans-boundary movement of passenger and cruise vessels
as concerned officials of the two countries began a two day meeting
here.
Officials familiar with the first day meeting of a standing committee
under the bilateral Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol (PIWTT) said the
proposed river cruise services were likely to commence between Kolkata –
Dhaka and Guwahati-Jorhat and back.
“The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for movement of passengers and
cruise vessels on Inland Protocol and coastal shipping routes have been
finalised,” an official familiar with the meeting said.
An Indian shipping ministry statement called it “another critical
understanding” reached at between the two countries while their officials
also initially agreed to open four new “ports of call” on either side
of their territories under a PIWTT.
The meeting primarily decided to declare India’s Kolaghat and Bangladesh’s
Chilmari as the new ports of call incorporating Rupnarayan river from
Geonkhali to Kolaghat in the protocol route.
According to the officials, the meeting simultaneously agreed to declare
Badarpur on the Barak river as an “extended port of call” of Karimganj in
Assam and Ghorasal of Ashuganj as another port of call in Bangladesh side on
reciprocal basis.
The Indian side also proposed for extension of the protocol routes from
Kolkata up to Silchar in Assam.
The first day meeting of the 19th edition of the Standing Committee meeting
under the PIWTT was held between concerned officials of the two shipping
ministries and related departments.
Officials from Bangladesh who joined it belong to Shipping Ministry,
Board of Revenue, Directorate General of Shipping and Bangladesh Inland Water
Transport Authority (BIWTA).
The Indian side of the meeting comprised representatives of ministries of
shipping, external affairs, home, finance, DONER and Inland Waterways
Authority of India (IWAI).
Bangladeshi and Indian shipping secretaries are set to join the second day
meeting tomorrow to finalise the decisions.
“The discussions ranged over various issues pertaining to the Protocol
arrangements and improvement of inland water transportation (IWT) between the
two countries,” the Indian shipping ministry statement read.
It said the inclusion of the Rupnarayan river and two proposed ports of
call were expected facilitate movement of materials like flyash, cement and
construction materials from India to Bangladesh through IWT.
Officials said the meeting also agreed to form joint committee to explore
technical feasibilities to operationalise the Dhulian-Rajshahi protocol route
up to Aricha and the reconstruction and opening up of Jangipur navigational
lock on river Bhagirathi in line with the landmark 1996 Ganges Waters Treaty.
“This move has the potential to reduce the distance to Assam by more than
450 kms on the protocol routes,” the Indian statement read.
The meeting decided as well that a Project Management Consultant for
supervision and monitoring of dredging of Ashuganj-Zakiganj and Sirajganj-
Daikhowa stretches of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route in Bangladesh will be
engaged with 80 percent financial contribution from India and rest by
Bangladesh.
Joint Monitoring Committee has also been constituted for overall monitoring
of the dredging works.
The Indian side proposed to allow a ‘Third country’ EXIM Trade under the
PIWTT protocol permitting transhipment through Ports on the East Cost of
India.
“Bangladesh agreed to hold stakeholder consultations and revert on the
matter,” the statement said.
It said both sides agreed for development of Jogighopa as a hub or trans-
shipment terminal for movement of cargo to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland
and Bhutan and notifying Munshiganj River terminal by Bangladesh Customs for
routing third party Exim cargo through Kolkata Port.
Officials said the secretary level meeting tomorrow was expected to yield
several agreements on the decisions the officials reached earlier including
the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for movement of goods from India.
BSS/AIM/FI/AR/0825 hrs