A route signed by both sides in May to increase river trade by adding two new routes and five more ports to connect Sonamura in Tripura to Daudkandi in Bangladesh to increase connectivity with the north-eastern states of India and reduce transportation costs Operating under the agreement.

After deliberations between the Inland Water Authority of India and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, the first pilot agitation on the 93-km Dowdkandi-Sonamura route is expected to be held on September 3, with people familiar with the event not to be named Said on condition.

The Bangladeshi vessel MV Premier will carry 50 MT of cement from Premier Cement Limited of Bangladesh to Tripura via Gumti River, the people said.

“The new route will facilitate bilateral trade with improved reliability and cost-effectiveness for the business community,” said one of the people above.

“All contacts between the Covid-19 crisis through existing and newly added routes are more important as it will be important for economical, fast, safe, and greener transportation for the business communities of both countries,” the person said.

The second new route – Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi – will help increase infrastructure in Bangladesh and reduce the cost of transporting goods in northern Bangladesh such as stone chips.

The new river trade route is being operated against the backdrop of India’s concerted efforts to boost economic aid and connectivity with key neighbors amidst the border deadlock with China.

Last month, India handed over 10 railway locomotives to Bangladesh, with a renewed focus on its “neighbor first” policy.