This jetty will be able to handle cargo when the water level is from RL (+) 40.0 m to RL (+) 45.0 m. To handle cargo vessels during the flood season when this low level IWT jetty will be under submerged conditions, a high level jetty at RL (+)51.00 m is being constructed 357m downstream of this jetty.  The high level jetty is likely to be completed by June 2010. This will serve the vessels when the water level is between RL (+) 45.0 m to RL (+) 50.0 m.

 

This low level jetty is the first of its kind in the entire Northeastern part of India and was inaugurated by Mr. A.P.V.N Sarma, Secretary, Department of Shipping Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways. 

 Floating terminal facilities are also provided at Dhubri, Jogighopa, Tezpur, Silghat, Jamuguri, Neamati and Dibrugarh in Assam.

 External affairs minister, Pranab Mukerjee has stated, “India is discussing with Bangladesh the possibility of making Ashuganj in Bangladesh the port of call. During my recent visit to Bangladesh I have discussed the issue of connectivity between the North East and Bangladesh.” 

An IWT transit and trade Protocol exists between India and Bangladesh.  River Brahmaputra (National waterways-2) connects the Northeastern region with the Kolkata and Haldia ports through Bangladesh and Sunderbans waterways.

Vessels carrying cargo to and from Northeastern states can ply through Bangladesh waterways under the Protocol arrangement.  The period of the Protocol has been extended for two years recently and is valid till March, 2011. 

Apart from daily needs, cross ferry, various types of bulk cargo like cement, jute, tea, coal, cosmetics, detergents, batteries, foodgrain, steel, steel products, building materials, petroleum products like paraffin, bitumen, HSD etc have been transported successfully using the inland water transport mode. 

River Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiya covering a distance of 891 km was declared as National Waterway 2 in 1988. IWAI is providing navigation channel of 45m width and 2 m depth in the stretch between Dhubri and Dibrugarh (768 km) and 30m width and 1.5 m depth in the Dibrugarh - Sadiya stretch (123 km).

IWAI has provided day navigation facilities in the entire stretch of NW-2.  Also, to reduce turn around time of vessels, night navigation facilities have been provided in the Dhubri - Neamati stretch of NW-2 covering a distance of 629 km.  This facility is being used by ferry operators, IWT - Assam, BSF, Indian Army, Indian and Bangladeshi vessels extensively.  

The Government of India is pursuing the possibility of transit access with the Bangladesh Government. According to sources in the industry, the opening of Chittagong port would cut down the transportation cost drastically. Heavy electrical goods and cement from Kolkata will have easy access to the North East via Chittagong. “As per an estimate, the traders will save Rs 1000 to Rs 1500- per metric tonnes in the Haldia - Tripura, Chittagong - Tripura and Haldia - Karimganj waterways route if the port becomes operational.” 

Sources added that the potential of formal trade remains largely untapped and that the lack of trade facilitating support instigates unofficial trade estimated at $800 million, depriving both the countries of revenue.

“ The volume of unofficial trade through this region would be over $800 million, which would account for one - third of the total informal trade between the two countries, a report complied by a study group of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangladesh and Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India states.