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Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project

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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,[1] but as of Nov 2014, this project is likely to be completed and fully operational by 2016.[2]

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
Overview
LocationMizoram, India
Operation
Work begun2 April 2008
TrafficMotor vehicles and Boat
Technical
Length287 kilometres (178 mi)

Route

As seen in this Multi-modal route map, this project has several sections/legs:[3]

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 here.

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 km away from Agartala, the capital of Tripura.[4]

Benefits of the Project

This project will reduce distance from Kolkata to Sittwee by approximately 1328 km and will reduce the need to transport good through the narrow Siliguri corridor, also known as Chicken's Neck. This will bring enhanced connectivity, shortened trade routes, reduced logistical end-to-end delivery time, economic prosperity and employment opportunities to the Mizoram and rest of the North East India, as well as Arakan and Shin states of Mayanmar.

Project Details

The project is being piloted and funded by the Ministry of External Affairs (India). The preliminary feasibility studies were carried out by 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.[5]

Major Components of the Project

All the phases are carried out in parallel and expected to be completed by 2015.

Phase-1: Construction of Port at Sittwe

Phase-2: Inland Water Transport (IWT) components

Phase-3 Highway within Myanmar

  • Construction of a road highway from Paletwa to India-Myanmar border for 110 km by IRCON International is The construction of stretch / component of road in Myanmar is being arranged by MEA and it will have a separate Project Development Consultant. Phase Three is the construction of a 130 km two-lane highway from Paletwa town to the Myanmar-India border crossing at MyeikWa/Lomasu. The Burma Ministry of Construction and Burmese construction company Max Myanmar Group of Companies are the implementing partners for the road construction in Paletwa township, and the estimated completion date is 2015.

Phase-4: Highway on Indian side

Framework for Project Implementation

  • Framework Agreement and two protocols (Protocol on Transit Transport and Protocol on maintenance) signed by the two sides on 2nd April 2008.
  • Article 4 of the Framework Agreement provides for appointment of a Project Development Consultant (PDC).

Current Status

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is at present facing problems such as underestimation of the road length in Myanmar and plans to construct hydro-electric projects — Chimtuipui River and Lungleng River — on two tributaries of the Kaladan River followed by another project downstream. That the first two projects are being built by one public sector undertaking and the third is being constructed by another PSU (Public Sector Unit) has also led to coordination issues.Due to construction of this hydro electrical projects, Navigation of boats could be effected.[6]

As of Nov 2014, Indian Minister for North East, General VK Singh said this project is likely to be completed and fully operational by 2016.[7]

See Also

References

  1. ^ Purushothaman, Vakkom. "Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project to link sea route in Myanmar with Mizoram". The Northeast Times. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  2. ^ Highway linking India to Myanmar, Thailand likely by 2016: VK Singh
  3. ^ Multi-modal project introduction
  4. ^ Phukan, Papori. "Kaladan Multi-Modal Project In Myanmar". Manipur Online. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project". Arakan Rivers. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  6. ^ Dikshit, Sandeep. "India-Myanmar transport project hits roadblock". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  7. ^ Highway linking India to Myanmar, Thailand likely by 2016: VK Singh
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