New Delhi/Kolkata, May 4 (Agency) In a major boost to regional connectivity, India on Thursday flagged off an inaugural shipment from Kolkata port to operationalise the Sittwe Port in Myanmar, which has been developed as part of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project built under Indian grant assistance. Minister of State in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shantanu Thakur flagged off the inaugural shipment from Kolkata Port, now known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, to Sittwe Port.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said: “An important milestone in the regional connectivity! MoS @Shantanu_bjp of @shipmin_india flagged off inaugural shipment from @SMPort_Kolkata to operationalise the Sittwe Port in Myanmar. “Sittwe port has been developed as part of Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project built under Indian grant assistance.” The operationalising of Sittwe port in Rakhine state of Myanmar will enhance connectivity between eastern and North Eastern states and boost trade between India and Myanmar. The cargo ship MV-ITT LION (V-273) was flagged off as part of a trial run for a facility at Sittwe. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), as a project Development Consultant for the implementation of Port and IWT components of the work, has successfully completed the work. Sittwe Port has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a Multimodal Transit Transport Facility on Kaladan river connecting the Sittwe port in Myanmar with the state of Mizoram in India.
The port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component. Once fully operationalised, KMTTP will provide alternate connectivity from Eastern coast of India to the North-eastern states through the Sittwe port, a statement said. The Port will open up new opportunities for trade and transit from and to Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine State and further enhance trade and commerce between the two countries and the wider region, it added. MV-ITT LION (V-273) carrying 20,000 bags containing 1,000 metric tonnes of cement will reach Sittwe Port on May 9.