A trial consignment from Kolkata port via Monga-Bibirbazar in Bangladesh has reached the land custom station of Srimantapur in Sonamura subdivision on Tuesday. The Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Pratima Bhowmik was there to welcome the consignment lorry. It is noteworthy that India and Bangladesh have already signed an agreement to start goods movement to the Northeastern states through Chittagong and Mongla port in Bangladesh. According to that agreement first trial run was accomplished on July 23, 2020. The second trial run from Kolkata was started on August 5, 2020. Out of the two consignments from Kolkata one will go to Dawki in Meghalay via Mongla, Tamabil etc. places. Another one was received at Srimantapur of Tripura which travelled from Kolkata via Mongla and Bibirbazar.
Besides, as per the SOP of October 5, 2019, goods will be transported to Agartala and Srimantapur in Tripura and Sutarkandi in Assam, Dawki in Meghalaya by using these two ports of Bangladesh. Inaugurating the special programme on this occasion Union minister of state Pratima Bhowmik said, with the increase in transportation of goods through Srimantapur ICP more avenues of income generation will also open up. She said, the Government of India has sanctioned fund for the development of Mongla and Chittagong port. At present only 25 items are being exported to Bangladesh through the Srimantapur LCS. She hoped that the number of items for export may be enhanced to 50.
She said, due to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sincere efforts India’s relation with neighbouring countries as well other countries of the world has strengthened more. And the state and the entire country will reap the result of this in the coming days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up Gatishakti scheme so that various works can be streamlined between various ministries and work can be completed in time. On the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Vijoy Diwas of Bangladesh will celebrated in a far grand manner in the state. Today’s consignment has brought 270 cartons of pre-foam which will be carried forward to Silchar. Speaking on the occasion the industry and commerce minister Santana Chakma said, the Central government and state government both are working towards cementing relation with Bangladesh further. Besides the programme was attended by MLA Subhash Chandra Das, chairman of Kanthalia Panchayat Samiti Pushpa Bhowmik Debnath, vice chairperson of Sonamura Nagar Panchayat Sahjahan Mia, assistant high commissioner of india to Bangladesh Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, assistant high commissioner of Bangladesh in Agartala Arif Mohammed, deputy commandant of BSF 179 battalion Hiranmoy Haldar. Welcome address was given by the manager of Land Port Authority of India at Akhaura Debasis Nandi
