INDO-BANGLA WATERWAY REMOVES CHICKEN NECK TAG OF NORTHEAST

A container ship flagged off from Kolkata to Agartala through Chattogram Port of Bangladesh, in a virtual ceremony (Pic Representative image)

- Biswendu Bhattacharjee

The tagline of chicken - neck corridor to northeast has finally been removed after opening of the waterways through Bangladesh. The first Consumer Cargo Consignment for Tripura and Karimganj of South Assam through Chittagong seaport had entered Akhaura land Custom Station in Tripura by four trucks. The Ministry of Shipping in both India and Bangladesh, applauded the successful time-bound shipping of the goods and hoped that formal transportation would be starting as and when vessel containers are ready with adequate load.

Chittagong seaport of Southern Bangladesh was established in late nineteen century and has been catering to the northeastern states till 1965.

Thereafter, hindrance of road network and international protocol has prevented the use of the port by India. After creation of Bangladesh in 1971, India has been persuading to get formal access to Chittagong seaport but it was not done due to infrastructure issues in both sides of the border.

There has always existed one dramatic shortcut: the sea route from Kolkata port to Agartala via Bangladesh - a route which reduces distances by thousands of kilometers and was shut for 55 years until the vessel reached.