Port will serve as a vital Indo-Bangla trade & transportation hub

Shillong: Land Port Dawki was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on May 4 with the promise that it would boost tourism and business sectors in Meghalaya as well as the country.

The Land Port will certainly strengthen the relations between India and Bangladesh, said Rai while addressing the inaugural programme at Dawki. He said that both the countries share a similar past and with India’s cooperation, Bangladesh is on the path of progress.

The Land Port will serve as a vital trade and transportation hub between the two countries, facilitating the movement of goods, people and vehicles across the border. It also facilitates passenger movement across the border and is expected to give the much-needed fillip to the tourism and other business sectors in Meghalaya.
The state has been planning for tourism and recently drafted a policy to adopt a sustainable and people-friendly approach to the sector.

The development of Land Port Dawki was approved by the High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) of MHA on February 4, 2016.

The port is spread over a total area of 23 acres. The land and development costs of the port are Rs 83.38 crore with the latter at Rs 74.38 crore.

To meet the projected cargo and traffic requisite infrastructure facilities have been planned at the Port. These include inter-alia Passenger Terminal Building, Cargo Terminal Building, Warehouse, Toilet Blocks for Export Drivers, Canteen with Washrooms, Entrance/Exit Gate for Passengers and Cargo Vehicles, Electric Sub-station, Rummaging Shed, Pump House, Sewage Treatment Plan and Underground Water Tank.

“It has been made keeping in mind the two countries’ requirements. It has a good infrastructure, a slew of facilities such as godown, canteen, cargo for tourists and electric substation, among others are also available here. The aim is to bring together all the agencies and stakeholders under a single roof,” said Rai, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.

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