First container cargo to Assam via Indo-Bangla route

The first ever containerised cargo movement via Indo-Bangladesh protocol route and Brahmaputra river is all set to start from West Bengal’s Haldia on Monday. The vessel MV Maheshwari, carrying 53 containers of petrochemicals, edible oil and beverage will sail through national waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh protocol route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra) and reach the IWAI terminal at Pandu in Assam’s Guwahati. It is said that the Centre will sponsor 80% of the estimated cost of Rs 305.84 crore for dredging in two stretches of Bangladesh inland waterways, Sirajganj-Daikhawa and Ashuganj- Zakiganj on the IBP route.