Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: Difference between revisions

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The '''Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project''' is a project that will connect the eastern Indian seaport of [[Kolkata]] with [[Sittwe]] seaport in [[Myanmar]] by sea; it will then link [[Sittwe]] seaport to [[Lashio]] in [[Myanmar]] via [[Kaladan river]] boat route and then from [[Lashio]] on to [[Mizoram]] in [[India]] by road transport. Originally, the project was scheduled to be completed by 2014,<ref>{{cite news|last=Purushothaman|first=Vakkom|title=Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project to link sea route in Myanmar with Mizoram|url=http://tntmagazine.in/news/mizoram/kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-to-link-sea-route-in-myanmar-with-mizoram/|accessdate=11 August 2012|newspaper=The Northeast Times}}</ref> but as of NovNovember 2014, this project is likely to be completed and fully operational by 2016.<ref>[http://www.livemint.com/Politics/lXLGGeFzlUmlc3p5hIuKMP/Highway-linking-India-to-Myanmar-Thailand-likely-by-2016-V.html Highway linking India to Myanmar, Thailand likely by 2016: VK Singh]</ref>

==Route==

As seen in this [http://www.arakanrivers.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Kaladan-Mov.png Multi-modal route map], thisThe project has several sections/legs:<ref>[http://www.mdoner.gov.in/content/introduction-1 Multi-modal project introduction]</ref>

* 539 km shipping route from seaport of [[Kolkata]] in [[India]] to [[Sittwe]] seaport in [[Myanmar]] via [[Bay of Bengal]]

* 158 km river boat route from [[Sittwe]] seaport to [[Paletwa]] jetty via [[Kaladan river]] in [[Myanmar]]

* 110 km road route from [[Paletwa]] jetty to Indo-Myanmar border in [[Myanmar]]

* 100 km route from Indo-Myanmar border to [[Lawngtlai]] in [[Mizoram]] in [[India]] by road on [[National Highway 54 (India)]] (NH-54), which then continues further to [[Dabaka]] in [[Assam]] via 850 km long NH-54 which in turn is part of the larger [[North–South_and_East–West_Corridor#East-West_Corridor|East-West Corridor]] connecting [[North East India]] with the rest of [[India]].<ref> [http://www.arakanrivers.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Kaladan-Mov.png Multi-modal route map]</ref>

==History==

This route must be seen within the wider context of connectivity of [[North East India]] and [[India]] with Asian neighbour via other projects such as [[Mekong-Ganga Cooperation]] map of which can be seen [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Infrastructure-projects-Myanmar-2013.png here].

This project will reduce distance from [[Kolkata]] to [[Sittwe]]e by approximately 1328 km and will reduce the need to transport good through the narrow [[Siliguri]] corridor, also known as [[Chicken's Neck (India)|Chicken's Neck]].

==Rationale for the Project==

Initially [[India]] had tried to persuade [[Bangladesh]] to offer transport and transit rights to the northeastern states. However, [[Bangladesh]] has consistently refused to grant such rights, including access to its [[Chittagong]] port, which is less than 200&nbsp;km away from [[Agartala]], the capital of [[Tripura]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Phukan|first=Papori|title=Kaladan Multi-Modal Project In Myanmar|url=http://manipuronline.com/look-east-policy/kaladan-multi-modal-project-in-myanmar/2010/12/19|accessdate=11 August 2012|newspaper=Manipur Online}}</ref>

==Benefits of the Project==

This project will reduce distance from [[Kolkata]] to [[Sittwe]]e by approximately 1328 km and will reduce the need to transport good through the narrow [[Siliguri]] corridor, also known as [[Chicken's Neck (India)|Chicken's Neck]].

==Project Details==

The project is being piloted and funded by the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)]]. The preliminary feasibility studies were carried out by [[RITES|Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES)]]. Construction work on [[Sittwe]] port and the boat jetty in [[Paletwa]], as well as the dredging work, will be executed by the [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]] (IWAI), with Essar Projects Ltd, a division of the [[Essar Group]] appointed in May 2010 as the main contractor.<ref>{{cite web|work=Arakan Rivers|title=Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project|url=http://www.arakanrivers.net/?page_id=135|accessdate=11 August 2012}}</ref>