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Dhaka rejects India’s transit plea

By IANS

Dhaka : Bangladesh has rejected India’s plea for transit of some “over-dimensional consignments” of power generation equipment from Kolkata port to Pallatana in Tripura state for setting up a power plant.

Bangladesh foreign office has taken a stand that transportation of heavy equipment does not form part of the transit arrangement the two neighbours have under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT).

The consignment concerned reportedly weighs about 290 tonnes.

The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh on Aug 7 sought “special permission” from Bangladesh government for transportation of the equipment.

The route for transportation of the equipment in the first leg, as identified by India, was from Kolkata port to Ashuganj in Bangladesh by waterway for a distance of 854 km, and then from Ashuganj to Akhaura by road for 65 km and finally, from Akhaura to Pallatana in India by road for 60 km.

“The PIWTT does not allow multi-modal transport facilities as it was only meant for transport of goods for transit and trade through waterways,” New Age newspaper quoted an unnamed foreign office official as stating in a communication to concerned ministries.