Brahmaputra (NW2) gets connected with Ganga (NW1)

Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways received the maiden voyage of food-grains from Patna to Pandu port (Assam) via Bangladesh.

• The vessel started its sail from Patna on National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) and passed through Bhagalpur, Manihari, Sahibganj, Farakka, Tribeni, Kolkata, Haldia, Hemnagar; Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route through Khulna, Narayanganj, Sirajganj, Chilmari and National Waterway-2 through Dhubri, and Jogighopa covering a distance of 2,350 km.

Significance

Economic Prosperity of Northeast: The start of cargo movement through Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBRP) marks the beginning of a new age of economic prosperity for the whole region of Northeast.

• The waterways also provide an economical, swift and convenient transportation for the businesses and people of the region.

Rejuvenating Historical Trade Routes: The sustained effort to rejuvenate the historical trade routes via Bangladesh got a fillip under PM Gati Shakti.

• It has been envisioned that Northeast will slowly turn & convert into a connectivity hub.
• The integrated development plan, under PM Gati Shakti, has been envisioned in order to ramp up swift movement of cargo over Brahmaputra.