Agartala, August 23, 2025: The dredging of a 6-kilometer stretch of the Gomati River aimed at establishing inland waterway connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh has been completed, officials confirmed following a high-level inspection. However, with 48 kilometers of the 54-km project still pending, authorities are now seeking an extension of the project timeline to ensure its completion.
A delegation led by the Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Inland Waterways recently visited the site to assess progress. The team included senior officials from Tripura’s Transport, Tourism and Drinking Water Sanitation departments as well as the Udaipur Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
“The dredging began in January with just one machine, which significantly slowed down the pace. To expedite the work, two additional machines will be deployed. But since the project period is nearing its end, we are initiating steps to renew it. Otherwise, the allocated Rs 19.50 crore cannot be fully utilized,” said Dibakar Das, Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector of the Transport Department.
The dredging, currently underway from the Maharani area, is expected to extend up to Sonamura in Sepahijala district, where the Gomati River crosses into Bangladesh. Once completed, the river route will connect Tripura to Daudkandi in Bangladesh and eventually to Kolkata, forming a strategic trade corridor under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route declared in 2020.
“This initiative will not only reduce transportation costs but also position Tripura as a key player in regional inland waterway logistics. The delegation will submit a detailed report to Delhi outlining further development possibilities along the Gomati’s banks,” said an official from the Inland Waterways Ministry.
The project, originally approved during the tenure of former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, was envisioned as a gateway for international trade and regional integration. Beyond economic benefits, the Tripura government anticipates that the dredging will aid in flood control and improve irrigation systems across the state.
As infrastructure development continues, officials remain optimistic that with renewed support and resources, Tripura will soon be firmly placed on the global inland waterway map.
