DHAKA: India is getting permissions from Bangladesh to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports during Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit on June 6-7.

An agreement to this end was due to be signed by the two close neighboring countries during former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit in 2011 when it was shelved for non-signing of Teesta Water Sharing Deal because of the vehement opposition of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Bangladesh at that time did not agree to sign the consent paper on approval of using the two ports by India. 

According to responsible officials of Foreign and Shipping ministries, the shelved ‘consent paper’ is likely to be signed this time during Modi’s visit. Besides, projects have been taken up for good connectivity of India with these two ports.

The matter of giving permission of use of two ports was discussed in all the inter-ministerial meetings held so far on Modi’s visit. An inter-ministerial meeting will be held on Sunday in the Shipping Ministry to take the final decision regarding the matter.

It is learnt that during her Delhi visit in 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed to allow India for using the ports. In the same visit, the Bangladesh Premier expressed her interest for setting up direct connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan via India.

Accordingly, a ‘consent paper’ was due to be signed at Dhaka during Manmohan Singh’s visit. But the deal was deferred due to the opposition of Mamata Banarjee.

Officials Concerned opined that Bangladesh has been putting special emphasis on connectivity. If India is given permission then the other Asian countries will consider Bangladesh as the center of connectivity and ultimately Bangladesh will gain from the deal.

A high official of Foreign Ministry told banglanews that India has settled the four-decade-old land boundary issue and also showing positive attitude towards Teesta water sharing issue. At this moment, it is normal that Bangladesh would show some liberality towards use of ports.
A bridge on the Feni river is being constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 100 crore to make direct connectivity with Sabroom of land locked Tripura from Chittagong port. Railway connections will be set up directly from Akhaura to Agartala. It will be convenient to carry goods by rail from Chittagong to Agartala. The ‘seven sister’ states of Nort-Eastern India will also enjoy the facility of export and import of goods by using the Chittagong port.

Recently government has decided to reopen the rail route of Kulaura-Shahabajpur of Moulovibazar to connect Meghalaya with Chittagong through Karimganj border via Akhaura-Sylhet.

Sources concerned said India will provide the major expense of this project as loan.

On the other hand, government has decided to construct Khulna to Mongla rail route that would help increase internal connectivity as well as with neighboring West Bengal of India.

BDST: 2130 HRS, MAY 30, 2015
Edited by Shahjahan/RS