India already has transhipment access to both Chittagong and Mongla ports for moving cargo to northeastern states, skipping the 1,650 kilometres chicken’s neck corridor.
Last month, an Indian delegation from India Ports Global Limited, headed by its Managing Director Sunil Mukundan, visited Mongla Port to study the operational facilities in detail. They further had a meeting with high-ups of the port authority where they expressed their interest in operating the port.
If the negotiations proceed successfully, Mongla will be the third international seaport operation taken up by India after Chabahar Port in Iran and Sittwe in Myanmar, which both are managed by India Ports Global Limited.
The Indian company has been asked to submit a detailed written proposal to the Mongla Port Authority for consideration. The representative of the Mongla Port Authority said the delegation was told that after receiving the proposal it would be evaluated and if found profitable then would be sent to the government for a decision.
Mongla Port operates container and bulk carrier vessels at its five jetties. Construction of two more jetties is being planned for handling increased volume of cargo generated thanks to transshipment facilities given to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
