7 days ago
Kaladan project to be operational by '27, will unlock trade opportunities: Sonowal
Guwahati: The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) will be fully operational by 2027, said Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways,
Sarbananda Sonowal
in Guwahati on Monday.
The project aims to reduce the distance between the northeast and the rest of India through a sea route. While Sonowal mentioned that the Sittwe port in Myanmar (under the project) is ready, work is ongoing to develop road connectivity to Mizoram.
Sonowal said, "This is a strategic initiative to enhance connectivity between India's northeast and Myanmar — set to be fully operational by 2027. Empowered by Modi ji's transformative 'Act East' policy, this once landlocked region is now poised for direct and shorter access to international sea routes."
KMTTP is the result of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty. This project connects Mizoram to Kolkata through Myanmar and primarily involves Rakhine State and Chin State in Myanmar. It connects the port of Sittwe in Rakhine State to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river in Myanmar. However, prolonged violence in Rakhine and Chin states amid civil war due to armed conflict between rebel groups and the Myanmar military resulted in considerable delays in the completion and operationalisation of the project.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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From Sittwe port to Kaladan river, the distance is 159km, and through this river route, consignments can reach Paletwa. From Paletwa to Zorinpui, it is a 110km journey via road, where road construction is ongoing. From Zorinpui to Aizawl, it's another 100km. "If the waterways can be developed, the Aizawl to Kolkata distance, which is 1,800km, can be minimised by 700km from the original distance by road," Sonowal said.
Once fully operational, Sonowal said the region will unlock new trade opportunities also for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar by connecting them with Southeast Asia. From Sittwe in Myanmar to Sabroom in Tripura, goods from Kolkata to Sittwe Port can be shipped to Teknaf Port, Bangladesh, which is just 60 nautical miles from Sittwe. From Teknaf Port, goods can be transported by road to Sabroom, which is 300 km away.
Sabroom has an integrated customs border between Bangladesh and Tripura.
In other areas, Sonowal said that the Modi govt has planned a Rs 5,000-crore investment to develop northeast waterways. "50,000 northeast youth will get maritime skill training and job opportunities over the next decade," Sonowal affirmed.
