Transit and transhipment of cargo between Northeastern India and Bangladesh using Chittagong port will commence soon,” said Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on 12^th April.

With access to Chittagong port, Tripura will become the “Gateway of North East.” The port is located just 70 kilometers from Sabroom in the northeastern state. “We are ready for the start of transit and transhipment of goods between Bangladesh and the northeastern region of India through Chittagong,” Chowdhury told PTI. The Statutory Regulatory Order required for the movement of cargo from Bangladesh to India will be issued by the National Board of Revenue. “This is, however, awaited till now,” said the minister. The immigration office on the Indian side is almost complete, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha recently inspected the site at Sabroom.

On March 9, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 1.9-km-long Maitree Setu, the “friendship bridge over the river Feni,” connecting Sabroom with Bangladesh. This bridge will facilitate the movement of passengers and goods from Chittagong Port. Once operational, the bridge will help Bangladesh’s trade with Nepal and Bhutan. The government of Japan will also develop a new deep-sea port at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar near Chittagong port, which will be completed by 2027 and would help the carriage of goods from Bangladesh to Tripura.

“After the completion of the Matarbari port, a huge investment is expected there which will assist in developing Bangladesh and India’s northeastern region,” said Chowdhury. The relationship between Japan, Bangladesh, and India is cordial. Chowdhury said Ashuganj port on the river Meghna, about 50 km from Tripura capital Agartala, will be jointly revamped by the governments of India and Bangladesh.