The Tripura government has called on the Centre to introduce inland waterway transport in the northeastern state, aiming to enhance connectivity and promote tourism. In a letter to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury proposed linking the Gomati River in Tripura with the Meghna River system in Bangladesh through the Sonamura-Daudkandi protocol route.
Chowdhury highlighted the potential benefits of this linkage, suggesting it could further connect important Indian rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak, ultimately linking to Haldia port in West Bengal and the Sittwe port of the Kaladan project in Myanmar. This network could significantly reduce the cost of transporting goods between India and Bangladesh, according to experts.
Additionally, Chowdhury requested the Centre's approval to purchase six to ten passenger vessels to facilitate easier crossings of the Gomati River and boost tourism. He also sought approval for the acquisition of a cruise ship and passenger vessels to enhance tourism in Dumbur Lake, underscoring the state's commitment to leveraging its waterways for economic and tourism development.
