The Ministry of Economic Affairs is working on a few additional discharge ports to export boulders to Bangladesh through cargo vessels.
Briefing on the status of cargo vessel ports during the question hour on Friday in National Assembly, Minister of Economic Affairs said ports in Mongla in Bangladesh and Chittagong in the Bay of Bengal has the approval for use.
The current port at Dhubri in Assam is said to be small and according to Duptho, the Member of Parliament (MP) from Bomdeling Jamkhar has affected Bhutanese boulder exporters immensely.
“Dhubri is a small place. Heavy vehicles are only allowed by 11 pm in cities in Dhubri and moreover, in winter the water level goes down making it difficult for a cargo ship to sail. And the exporters say they informed the government,” said Duptho, the Bomdeling Jamkhar MP.
To this, Minister of Economic Affairs said Jogighopha port in Assam is undergoing a facelift and the ministry expects to get the approval soon after it is complete.
“So last time we had a talk with Shipping Ministry and it has been decided that Chilmari, a port near Dhubri but in Bangladesh will be used as a port of entry and port of exit. Since we don’t have ships, we have to use either Indian or Bangladesh’s vessel to export. Not only that Mongla and Chittagong Port for third-country export is also approved,” informed Loknath Sharma, the Minister of Economic Affairs.
Few additional ports between Chilmari and Narayanganj has been recognised and the Ministry is waiting for the approval. Moreover, Ministry is seeking access to Pandu Port in Guwahati so that Boulder exporters from Samdrup Jongkhar are benefitted.
Sangay Chezom
