Eastward Push and Development
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 16 2015 -
The recent Union Cabinet’s nod on implementation of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar at the Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of Rs 2904.04 crore is likely to accelerate Government of India’s eastward push.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 14 gave its approval for the RCE for the project in Myanmar.
Once the project is launched and put to use, it will provide an alternate access route to the Northeastern region of India. It has been hoped that the project is expected to contribute towards the region’s economic development.
The Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project was conceptualised jointly by India and Myanmar to create a multi-modal mode of transport for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to Northeast India through Myanmar.
The project will connect Sittwe Port in Myanmar to India-Myanmar border and is expected to open up sea route and also provides strategic link to Northeast region reducing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor.
Since the project is of political and strategic significance, it was decided to execute it through India’s grant assistance to Myanmar.
The project, when completed, will first link the Kolkata port to the port of Sittwe in Myanmar across the Bay of Bengal, a distance of 539 km.
From Sittwe, the route will continue over river Kaladan to the western Myanmarese town of Paletwa, 158 km away. Paletwa will then be connected to the India-Myanmar border by a 110-km-long road.
The international border will then be connected by road to the town of Lawngtlai in Mizoram 100 km away where National Highway 54 passes by.
The project includes construction of an integrated port and inland water transport (IWT) terminal at Sittwe, development of a navigational channel along river Kaladan in Myanmar from Sittwe to Paletwa, and construction of a highway transshipment terminal at Paletwa.
The project also envisaged construction of six IWT barges - each of 300 tonnes capacity - for transportation of cargo between Sittwe and Paletwa.
If the project is set on set into motion with the approval of the RCE, Northeastern States can only wait and watch how it actually helps in bringing development to the region apart from fulfilling strategic interests of the mainland India.
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