Today marks a pivotal moment in Indo-Bangladesh trade relations as the inaugural voyage of cargo ships sets sail between the river ports of Maiya, West Bengal, and Sultanganj, Bangladesh, along the Ganga river. High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, and Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Shipping, Khalid Mahmood Choudhury, collaboratively launched operations by inaugurating the Sultanganj, Godagri Port of Call. Their joint effort included the symbolic flag-off of a cargo ship departing from Sultanganj bound for India’s river port at Maiya. Simultaneously, India’s Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, initiated the maiden cargo voyage from Maiya Inland Customs Port.
This strategic initiative aims to streamline logistics costs while fostering bilateral trade and bolstering connectivity between the two nations. The river ports are slated to serve as key conduits for exporting commodities like stone, fly ash, coal, fruits, vegetables, and spices from India, while facilitating the import of jute and textiles from Bangladesh.
In a statement issued by the Indian High Commission, the reopening of the Maiya-Sultanganj river route is hailed as a significant milestone that is poised to invigorate the inland waterways ecosystem, presenting lucrative opportunities for economic growth on both sides of the border. High Commissioner Verma underlined the importance of this venture in enhancing economic ties and unlocking the full potential of cross-border cooperation.
