The Indian Government is categoric that it will not go ahead with setting up an inland container port at Narayanganj if it is not in compliance with the procedures laid down by the Government. The Indian government, it may be recalled, had invited a tender to conduct a feasibility study to set up an inland container port in Narayanganj keeping the Bangladesh government in dark.The Indian External Affairs Ministry, had last month, invited bids for techno-commercial feasibility study for setting up an inland container port at Narayanganj in Bangladesh.
Contrary to the assertion that Bangladesh was not aware of the tender, a senior official in the Foreign Ministry in India clarified that the Indian mission in Dhaka is in touch with the government of Bangladesh about the project: “If there are any gaps they will be covered but the Indian Government is clear that it would only go ahead if the project is in compliance with the laws of the land”. In other words, without the Bangladesh government being on board there is no question of the project taking shape.
This assurance was given to The Independent by sources in the Foreign Ministry.
The main aim, sources told The Independent, promote investment and encourage joint ventures between India and Bangladesh: “This should be seen purely as a venture to facilitate a business and commercial partnership between India and Bangladesh” the source stated. According to reports, Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal Ltd (KWTB), Bangladesh, intend to establish an Inland Container Port on this land jointly with an Indian Partner having experience in setting and operating Inland Ports.
The objective of the study is to examine the need and prepare a Techno-Commercial Feasibility Report (TCFR) for setting up an inland container port at Narayanganj, Bangladesh. The project entails traffic study and financial appraisal and preparation of a detailed report to achieve the objective.
The Bangladesh government, sources reiterated should not be apprehensive about India doing anything which would be against the interests of Bangladesh allaying fears that the Bangladesh government would be kept in the “dark”.
-With The Independent input
