The first post-Independence international cargo voyage from Dibrugarh to Dhaka begins as a vessel carrying 540 tonnes of methanol departs Bogibeel River Port
Guwahati: Assam has reopened an old trade route with Bangladesh, with the first international cargo voyage from Dibrugarh to Dhaka since Independence setting sail from the Bogibeel River Port on Monday.
The vessel DLB Patkai, accompanied by the pusher tug Kushal Konwer, departed at 11 am carrying 540 tonnes of industrial methanol packed in 27 containers. The cargo, produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APCL) at Namrup, is bound for Pangaon Port in Dhaka.
The voyage is being carried out through National Waterway-2 along the Brahmaputra, before connecting to the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the launch virtually, while Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal attended the event at Bogibeel as Guest of Honour. Transport Minister Charan Boro and Labour Welfare Minister Rameswar Teli were also present.
The launch is being viewed as a major step towards giving the landlocked Northeast a direct water-based link to international trade routes. Authorities expect inland waterways to offer a more economical and environmentally friendly freight option while reducing logistics costs.
Regular cargo movement along the route could further connect industries in Upper Assam with markets in Bangladesh and beyond.
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