Lok Sabha Question No. 2005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-05
Subject: Transportation between India and Bangladesh
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2005 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th MAY, 2016

## TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH

2005.   SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the use of inland waterways are more safe, economical and a less polluting means of transportation and if so, the details thereof;

## पोत

- (b) whether the transportation of commercial cargos between India and Bangladesh has started through inland waterways and coastal shipping as per the Standard Operating Procedure and if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- (d) whether both the countries have relaxed certain restrictions to facilitate the said transportation smoothly and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the extent to which the transportation cost of goods is likely to come down as a result thereof;
- (e) the extent to which both the countries are likely to benefit as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

- (a) Inland  Water  Transport  (IWT)  mode  is  recognized  as  a  cost  effective,  fuel  efficient,  environment friendly and safe mode of transport in various countries, specially for hazardous goods and over dimensional cargo.   As per a Report produced by RITES in 2014 on 'Integrated National Waterways Transportation Grid', the cost of movement of freight (Rs. per Tonne Km.) after taxes is Rs. 2.58 by highways, Rs. 1.41 by railways and Rs. 1.06 by IWT.

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (b) Three vessels from the Bangladesh i.e., MV Harbour-1 (w.e.f. 17.02.2016 to 16.02.2017), MV KSL Gladiator (w.e.f. 30.03.2016 to 29.03.2017) and MV KSL Pride (w.e.f. 30.03.2016 to 29.03.2017) have been permitted to operate under the India - Bangladesh agreement on coastal shipping under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which are in place.  MV Harbour-1 visited Krishnapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh in March2016.
- (c) The promotion of coastal shipping between India and Bangladesh is expected to bring down the cost of cargo transportation and to enhance bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries.
- (d) Yes, Madam.   Only River Sea Vessels (RSV) of Type-III & IV category of both the countries have been permitted to operate under the agreement, whereas normally the seagoing ships are allowed to undertake voyages to foreign ports.    RSV vessels have comparatively lower technical and manning standards vis-à-vis foreign going vessels and are more cost-effective, without compromising on the safety of the vessels.
- (e) The coastal shipping agreement and SOP, besides improving seaside and allied roadside connectivity access, are likely to provide more competitive freight rates, enhance cargo, especially the transhipment cargo currently  being  routed  through  Singapore  and  Colombo  ports  and  offers  an  alternative  route  for  the transportation of EXIM cargo, as well as transit cargo to the North Eastern parts of India.