Bangladesh, India, Nepal railway transit soon
Syful Islam
Bangladesh, India and Nepal are going to start three country railway transits with a view to strengthening trade and economic ties among these neighbouring nations, official sources said.
India and Bangladesh have already agreed Rohanpur-Singabad and Radhikapur-Biral rail route connectivity which are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start the communication.
Railway communication both for goods and passenger transportation among the three countries will start once the MoU is signed, sources added.
Commerce Secretary Mozammel Huq Khan said a proposal to sign MoU has been sent to India in this regard. He hoped that the issue will be resolved very soon.
Shipping Ministry sources said Bangladesh is ready to let Nepal to use its Chittagong and Mongla ports fro international trade. Besides, it will also let Nepal to use Mongla port at reduced charge. Mongla port will also give Nepal necessary lands as lease for building warehouse.
According to statistics, at present only 20 per cent capacity of Mongla port is being used.
Transpiration of goods to Nepal through Mongla port had began in 1997 but it was halted soon after.
Commerce Ministry sources said Nepal may seek more facilities in case of using Chittagong port. Nepal is using the port since 1979 and handling cement, cement clinker, rice, wheat and other goods. But Nepal has stopped using the port since 2000.
Sources said Bangladesh and Nepal will sit for Commerce Secretary level meeting on May 3-4 followed by similar meeting between Bangladesh and India.
Commerce Secretary Golam Hosen yesterday told The New Nation that during the Bangladesh-Nepal meeting use of sea port, rail connectivity, air cargo service, infrastructure development and transport modality agreement will get priority.
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