(BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
23-July, 2015 16:56 IST
Meeting of the Secretaries of Transport of India, Myanmar and Thailand on the proposed Motor vehicles Agreement

Considering the importance of closer regional economic cooperation and integration through enhanced regional connectivity by road for cross-border to improve connectivity and people to people contact for furthering the shared goal of overall economic development, a meeting of the Secretaries of Transport of India, Myanmar and Thailand (IMT) was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 13-14 July 2015 to reach consensus on signing and operationalising the IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) which has been under negotiation since March 2015. It may be recalled that the text of the MVA was already finalized by the three countries in the Transport Secretaries meeting, held in June 2015 at Bengaluru, India and the meeting at Bangkok was primarily to discuss and finalize the Protocol of the IMT MVA.

The Meeting at Bangkok was attended by delegations from the IMT countries comprising Secretaries of Transport and other transport and customs officials, and was supported by staff and consultants of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The meeting emphasized on the importance of the IMT MVA and its critical role in realizing seamless movement of passenger, personal and cargo vehicles along roads linking the IMT countries. The initiative also will establish road connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia, which will strengthen economic integration and cooperation between the two sub-regions and boost their collective economic progress and development.

The Transport Secretaries meeting was preceded by the IMT Customs Sub-group Meeting on 13 July 2015 to address the various customs-related issues in the protocol to be finalized under the IMT MVA and consensus was reached that the customs issues identified would be incorporated in the Protocol(s). Various non-customs related issues for the protocol were also negotiated and a largely agreed text of draft Protocol(s) was developed in the meeting.

The Meeting recognized the importance of carrying out necessary actions to ensure speedy finalization of the text (Protocol/ Schedule) as part of the IMT MVA. It was decided that the IMT MVA will be signed during a proposed Transport Ministers’ level meeting of three countries in Myanmar in November 2015. The signing of the agreement and its implementation is planned by December 2015 and is expected to be operational in 2016, opening the way for movement of cargo and passengers (including personal vehicles) on the India-Myanmar-Thailand road corridor.

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[Hindustani78]

India, Thailand, Myanmar to sew up motor vehicles accord | Zee News
Last Updated: Thursday, July 23, 2015 - 22:09
New Delhi: The government on Thursday reported that the transport secretaries of India, Myanmar and Thailand (IMT) recently met to give final touches to their motor vehicle agreement (MVA).

According to the government, the IMT motor vehicles accord is significant for fostering closer regional economic cooperation through enhanced connectivity by road.

"A meeting of the secretaries of transport of IMT was held in Bangkok on 13-14 July to reach consensus on the IMT MVA which has been under negotiation since March 2015," the road transport and highways ministry was quoted in a statement.

The ministry said the text of the MVA has already been finalised in a meeting held in June 2015 at Bengaluru.

"The meeting at Bangkok was primarily to discuss and finalise the protocol of the IMT MVA," the statement said.

The ministry said that the transport secretaries` meeting was preceded by the IMT customs sub-group meeting which was held on July 13, 2015.

"Consensus was reached that the customs issues identified would be incorporated in the protocols," the statement added.

It is expected that the IMT MVA will be signed by November 2015 and the implementation phase will start by December, with the project envisaged to be operational by 2016.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
06-August, 2015 16:41 IST
Motor Vehicles Agreement

An Agreement for regulation of passenger vehicular traffic between India and Nepal was signed on 25th November, 2014. This agreement facilitated starting of Delhi-Kathmandu and Varanasi-Kathmandu bus services which are operational at present. The agreement also has provisions to allow additional bus services and movement of personal vehicles between the two countries.

The Transport Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) signed the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for regulating and enabling passenger, personal and cargo vehicle cross border traffic in the four countries on 15th June, 2015 at Thimphu in Bhutan. This agreement will reduce cost and time consuming process and procedures as at present and make cross border trade and transport in and through the North-East region of India to and from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal more efficient. It will help enhance people to people contact, trade and regional integration.

The BBIN MVA will enter into force on its ratification and issue of notifications by all the four countries.

Negotiations for finalizing a similar Motor Vehicles Agreement among India, Myanmar and Thailand (IMT) for enhanced regional connectivity through road transportation have been held and consensus on the text of the MVA evolved by the three countries. For finalizing the text of Protocol and its Schedules which would be part of the IMT MVA, negotiations are required to be concluded among the three countries. Tentatively, the three countries have agreed during IMT Transport Secretary level meeting on 13-14th July, 2015 that the IMT MVA can be signed during a Transport Ministers’ meeting of three countries in Myanmar in November 2015 by when the respective country Governments would complete their internal approval process. This agreement will facilitate movement of cargo and passengers (including personal vehicles) on the India-Myanmar-Thailand road corridor, enhancing intra-regional and inter-regional trade and commerce in South Eastern Asia. There is no proposal at present for signing a separate MVA with Sri Lanka.

This information was given by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of External Affairs
12-August, 2015 17:23 IST
Special Diplomacy with SAARC Countries

India has enhanced its engagement with all SAARC countries both bilaterally and through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It has increased efforts for enhancing trade and connectivity links through land, air and sea for accelerating regional integration and greater people-to-people contacts. India continues its efforts to build peaceful cooperative ties with Pakistan to address the outstanding issues through peaceful bilateral dialogue.

A sub-regional Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) was signed between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) on June 15, 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan for the regulation of passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic between the four countries. This BBIN MVA will ease cross-border movement of goods, vehicles and people, thereby helping to expand people-to-people contact, trade and economic exchanges between them.

South Asia is among the least integrated regions of the world with low levels of intra-regional trade. India is taking a lead role in all SAARC mechanisms working towards removal of trade barriers, tariff liberalization and liberalization of trade in services to improve trade among member nations of SAARC.

The Minister of State for the external Affairs Gen. Dr. V. K. Singh (Retd.) provided this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

Wait for borderless travel set to end - The Hindu

Updated: September 17, 2015 02:38 IST

Vehicles from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal will be able to cross each other’s borders after the dawn of New Year, ushering in a new era in sub-regional connectivity.

The trial run of vehicles to highlight the much-awaited connectivity will take place in October, official quarters here told The Hindu.

The four countries, known as BBIN by their initials, will also stage a car rally between November 14 and December 1, in order to promote the launch of the landmark cross-border vehicle movement, said Bangladesh Road Transport Minister Mr. Obaidul Quader . The motor procession is scheduled to end in Kolkata, beginning from Bhubaneswar after touching Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

In accordance with the BBIN motor vehicle agreement, signed in June 15 in Thimpu, cargoes as well as passenger-carrying and personal vehicles from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal will be able to travel across each other’s borders.

A combined working group formed with representatives from the four nations met in Dhaka on September 8 and 9, and decided unanimously to allow the cross-border travel of passenger and personal vehicles. According to the agreement, the combined working group are supposed to conclude all formalities by December and passenger-carrying and cargo vehicles are supposed to start operating in January.

Under the agreement, the contracting parties will allow trucks and trailers with containers, passenger vehicles, hired or personal, to ply in the territory of other contracting parties. In other words, under the deal, even tourists from the countries concerned can go to other three countries by private or rented cars.

Challenges remain
Although concerned quarters are stated to be serious about meeting the January 2016 deadline, however, some officials said, a number of problems, including cross-border policy and immigration and customs system, are yet to be resolved.

The agreement, which takes most of its text from the Saarc Motor Vehicle Agreement, will understandably increase connectivity among the countries to boost trade and people-to-people contact. The proposed SAARCc agreement could not be signed during the last summit held in Kathmandu in November last year due to opposition from Pakistan. India took the initiative to sign a parallel motor vehicle agreement comprising the four nations.

The proposed routes for passenger transportation would be Kolkata (India)-Petrapole/Benapole-Jessore-Dhaka-Chittagong, Chittagong-Dhaka-Hatikumrul-Bogra-Rangpur-Burimari/Chengrabandha (India)-Shiliguri (India), Dhaka-Hatikumrul-Bogra-Rangpur-Burimari/Chengrabandha (India)-Jaigaon (India)/Phuentsholing (Bhutan)-Thimphu (Bhutan), Dhaka-Hatikumrul-Bogra-Rangpur-Banglabandha/Phulbari (India)-Panitanki (India)/Kakarvita (Nepal)-Kathmundu (Nepal), Kolkata-Dhaka-Sarail-Sylhet-Tamabil/Dawki (India)-Shilong-Guwahati (India)-Samdrup Jhonkar (Bhutan) and Khulna-Jessore-Benapole/Petrapole (india)-Kolkata (India).

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of External Affairs
14-October, 2015 14:00 IST
Implementation of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar at the Revised Cost Estimate of Rs 2904.04 Crore

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for the Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of Rs.2904.04 crores for the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar.

The project will provide an alternate access route to the North-Eastern region of India and contribute towards the region's economic development. Being a key connectivity project, it will promote economic, commercial and strategic links between India and Myanmar.

Background:

The Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project was jointly identified by the India and Myanmar to create a multi-modal mode of transport for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to the North-Eastern part of India through Myanmar. This project, which will connect Sittwe Port in Myanmar to the India-Myanmar border, is expected to contribute to the economic development of the North-Eastern States of India, by opening up the sea route for the products. It also provides a strategic link to the North-East, thereby reducing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor. In the absence of an alternate route, the development of this project not only serves the economic, commercial and strategic interests of India, but also contributes to the development of Myanmar, and its economic integration with India. Since the project is of political and strategic significance, it was decided to execute it through India's grant assistance to Myanmar.

Following preparation of the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for the waterways component comprising Port and Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) in April 2003 and the road component in March 2005, M/s RITES Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, suggested a waterway route from Sittwe Port to Kaletwa (225 kms) along the Kaladan River and thereafter a roadway from Kaletwa to the India-Myanmar border (62 kms). The Cabinet approved the project at a cost of Rs. 535.91 crores in its meeting held in March 2008.

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[Hindustani78]

WB Govt gets kudos for procuring land for highway projects | Zee News

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government which has faced criticisms from different quarters over its land policy, on Sunday received kudos from the Union Road Transport secretary who said his ministry has got huge support from the West Bengal government over the last one year for procuring land for the highway projects in the state.

"In the last one year we have got huge support from the West Bengal government with regard to land procurement for highway projects in the state," Union Road Transport and Highways secretary Vijay Chibber said here.

"The state government has broadly resolved all issues pertaining to land," he said after flagging off the trial run of a cargo vehicle under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional initiative for uninterrupted cargo movement.

Banerjee, during her days in the opposition, had led anti-land acquisition movements at Nandigram and Singur, following which the Tata Motors had shifted its small car factory to Gujarat from West Bengal.

Chibber said owing to earlier delays in implementation of National Highway widening and construction of new roads, many contractors had abandoned projects due to huge cost over-runs.

"We are in the process of bringing them back to complete the projects," he said.

"The ministry is doing a handholding between contractors and lenders to ensure that these projects are completed," Chibber said.

He said except for one, work in all other projects in the state would commence soon.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Cargo vehicle begins trial run on new Dhaka route - The Hindu
Updated: November 2, 2015 01:20 IST

The trial-cum-pilot run of the cargo vehicle on the Kolkata-Dhaka- Agartala route being flagged off in Kolkata on Sunday. Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Principal Secretary, Transport Department, West Bengal, and other dignitaries were present. Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty
The new route will cut the distance to 640 km from the earlier 1,550 km
The first trial run of a cargo vehicle on the Kolkata-Agartala via Dhaka route was flagged off here on Sunday.

It will reduce the distance between Kolkata and Agartala nearly by two-third. This is a part of the four-nation agreement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) for cross-border movement of people and goods. Known as the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic, it was signed in Thimpu on June 15.

Unlike the traditional land route in which one has to cover a distance of 1,550 km via Siliguri in north Bengal to reach Agartala in Tripura from Kolkata, in the alternative route the distance would be reduced to 640 km as cargo vehicles will be transiting through Bangladesh.

“The benefits of the project are obvious as with the shortening of distance, transport cost will also come down,” said Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Union Ministry of Road and Highways, who flagged off the trial run.

The alternative route is likely to make the movement of goods between the north- eastern State and rest of the country more convenient. As Tripura and north-eastern States such as Meghalaya and Manipur share a long border with Bangladesh, cross-border movement of goods via Dhaka will be more cost effective and less time consuming.

“Tripura is the entry point to the north-east. In fact Manipur, Mizoram and the southern part of Assam will be connected with the rest of the country by this alternative route,” said Mr. Chhibber.

He, however, avoided a direct reply as to what suddenly led Bangladesh, which for several years did not allow the transit of Indian goods though its territory to Tripura, to agree to the proposal. “That is a very loaded question. I don’t want to get into why it did not happen earlier. Our government is reaching out proactively to all our neighbours and have received positive response from them, including Bangladesh,” said Mr. Chhibber.

Passenger movement between Kolkata and Dhaka have already been started.

Experts are of the opinion that financial benefits of the alternative route will not be limited to the reduction in transport expenditure. “Beyond cost saving, it will also increase our connectivity with our eastern neighbours as well as the Association of South East Asian Nations, Prithviraj Nath, policy analyst and centre head, Consumer Unity and Trust Society, Kolkata, told The Hindu.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
11-November, 2016 14:29 IST
India, Myanmar and Thailand Friendship Motor Car Rally, 2016 To Be Flagged-off on 13th November, 2016

To improve the connectivity by road in South East Asian region and to sensitize the stakeholders of India Myanmar and Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement regarding potential benefits of such a regulatory regime, a Friendship Motor Car Rally from Delhi to Bangkok is being organized from 13th November to 3rd December, 2016. The Rally will be flagged off by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya from India Gate lawns in New Delhi on 13th November, 2016. His Excellency Chalit Manityakul, Ambassador of Thailand to India and other dignitaries will also attend the flagging-off ceremony.

The rally caravan will cover a distance of 5,722 KMs along the IMT Trilateral Highway with about 80 participants from all the three countries, in 20 Indian made vehicles on a journey from Delhi to Bangkok over 19 days. Ceremonial flag off will also be held in other cities and state capitals enroute like Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Patna, Siliguri, Guwahati, Shillong, Kohima and Imphal and in cities in Myanmar and Thailand.

The rally that will conclude at Bangkok on 2nd December, 2016, will further cement cultural and economic ties among the three nations and highlight the potential benefits of connectivity and integration in the region and in keeping with India’s focus on its close neighborhood.

A trial run of passenger vehicles on the IMT Trilateral Highway up to Naypitaw in Myanmar was carried out during 9-14 November, 2015 in which Indian vehicles travelled to Myanmar on Imphal -Mandalay -Bagan- Naypitaw route and back and Myanmar vehicles joined the Indian vehicles on the return journey from Naypitaw to Imphal and returning to Myanmar.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India had initiated a significant step for negotiating a Trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) among India, Myanmar and Thailand (IMT). This Trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement will regulate seamless movement of both passenger and cargo vehicles among these three countries by providing a regulatory regime for mutual recognition of documents and harmonisation of procedures and related standards. The implementation of the IMT Trilateral Highway, along with regulatory framework in the proposed IMT MVA for movement of vehicles of the 3 countries on this route, would form part of an important element of India’s “Act East Policy”.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways05-December, 2016 17:17 IST
Road Connectivity Projects with Neighbouring Countries

After signing of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement in June 2015 for facilitating seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles and increase trade in the sub-region, the following road projects in India have been identified to be posed for loan assistance by Asian Development Bank (ADB).



S. No.---------------------Project -----------------------------------------------------Distance

1 Upgradaton of Siliguri-Mirik-Darjeeling road in West Bengal -122 km.

2.Widening of NH-112 (old NH-35) from Kolkata to Bongaon (on India-Bangladesh Border) - 60 km

3. Upgradation of road connections to Diamond Harbor in West Bengal NH 12 (old NH 117)- 123 km

4. Ukhrul-Tolloi-Tadubi road in Manipur, NH 102 A- 115 km

5. Split 4 lane road on Kohima-Kedima Krong-Imphal Section of NH 2 (old NH-39)-138 km


Total - 558 Km



This information was given by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Shri Munsukh L. Mandaviya in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.


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[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bhutan-backs-out-of-motor-vehicle-pact/article18260565.ece



Tells India to continue with Bangladesh and Nepal

India’s plan for a sub-regional motor vehicle agreement faced a setback on Thursday, as the Bhutan government announced that it is not ready to go ahead with the process at present. It asked the other members of the ‘BBIN’ grouping — India, Bangladesh and Nepal — to continue to operationalise it without Bhutan.

“The Royal government has decided to give its consent for the entry into force of the agreement among the 3 member-states without any obligation to Bhutan. The agreement will enter into force for Bhutan after its ratification process is completed,” an official statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Thimphu said.

“The Royal government remains fully committed to the BBIN process, including the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement,” it added.

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s decision to step out of the BBIN process comes on the back of severe domestic opposition to the motor vehicles agreement, primarily on fears of vehicular pollution and environmental degradation if trucks from neighbouring countries are given access to Bhutan, a country that prides itself on its “carbon neutrality” and preserving the environment.

As a result, despite the fact that the MVA agreement was signed on June 15, 2015, and ratified on its second attempt in the lower house in July 2016, the upper house in Bhutan voted it down in November 2016.

The Bhutan government statement signifies that Prime Minister Tobgay had also decided not to use the option of calling a joint house of parliament to push through the ratification, which India, Bangladesh and Nepal have already completed.

Dhaka’s initiative

A last minute intervention by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who visited Thimphu earlier this month and made a public appeal to pass the BBIN-MVA, also appears to have failed to convince the government, as it heads towards elections in 2018.

“Yes, we have withdrawn from BBIN for now as it would be better to have something where there is a harmonious position among the people. Currently, the environment is not right for it with entrenched positions,” Mr. Tobgay was quoted by local newspaper The Bhutanese as saying.

When asked about the official statement on Thursday, the MEA was non-committal about whether India would proceed with the MVA without Bhutan, or go-slow on the process.

“It is our understanding that all members of BBIN are fully committed to sub-regional cooperation within BBIN framework,” the spokesperson told The Hindu, adding, “However, it is natural that all members cannot move at the same speed on all matters. We continue to consult with the BBIN members on ways and means to foster sub-regional cooperation in areas of common interest.”

 

[Hindustani78]

Last week, Bhutan had announced that it would not be ratifying the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA) for the time being and asked other stakeholders to go ahead with the plan without it.

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...le-movement-pact-not-a-setback-india-4639401/

By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:May 3, 2017 9:02 pm

India on Wednesday refused to take as a “setback” Bhutan’s decision of not immediately ratifying a sub-regional connectivity initiative, saying it is natural that all members cannot move at the same speed and that it will remain engaged with the Bhutanese government. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, “It is our understanding that all members of BBIN (Bangladesh -Bhutan-India-Nepal) are fully committed to sub-regional cooperation within BBIN framework.”

Last week, Bhutan had announced that it would not be ratifying the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA) for the time being and asked other stakeholders to go ahead with the plan without it. Baglay said, “It is natural that all members cannot move at the same speed on all matters. We continue to consult with the BBIN members on ways and means to foster sub-regional cooperation in areas of common interest.” “But it is not a setback and it is not a rejection,” he added.

The Bhutan foreign ministry, in a statement, had said while the other three countries in the grouping have already ratified the agreement, the Royal Government of Bhutan is in the process of completing its internal procedures for ratification to address the concerns raised by the domestic stakeholders.

To facilitate the early implementation of the BBIN MVA, Bhutan said it had decided to give its consent to the other three member states to go ahead with the pact implementation.

Right from the time the BBIN MVA was tabled for ratification, the draft legislation faced opposition in Bhutan. There have been fears of vehicular pollution and environmental degradation if trucks from neighbouring countries are given access to Bhutan.

To boost trade relations, India had proposed a regional cooperation pact in 2014 which entailed building a freight corridor connecting the south Asian nations with each other. The MVA was proposed to reduce transport costs drastically and foster development of multi-modal transport facilities for a better connectivity among the four countries.

 

[Hindustani78]

Bhutan had backed out from the BBIN connectivity plan this year after the proposal failed to sail through in its parliament.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...tivity-plan/story-XP7YrUb91uQrluCURdrT4L.html
india Updated: May 27, 2017 23:20 IST
Officials of India, Nepal and Bangladesh will meet in June to finalise a truncated sub-regional connectivity plan after Bhutan retreated.

Bhutan backed off from the BBIN (Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal) connectivity plan this year after the proposal failed to sail through in its parliament.


Unlike in India, parliamentary ratification is necessary for Bhutan to enter international agreements. Indian government sources said the plan now is to roll out connectivity agreements among India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The meeting in June will plan for this at an early date.

“The door will be open for Bhutan as and when they are ready for it,” said an official. But Bhutan backing off from the initial plan calls for changing of routes and other procedures.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Commerce & Industry
31-July, 2017 19:17 IST
The new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan has come into force with effect from 29th July 2017

The bilateral trade relations between India and Bhutan are governed by the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between the Government of India and Bhutan. The Agreement provides for a free trade regime between the territories of India and Bhutan. The Agreement also provides for duty free transit of Bhutanese merchandise for trade with third countries.

The Agreement was last renewed on 29th July 2006 for a period of ten years. The validity of this Agreement was extended, with effect from 29th July 2016, for a period of one year or till the new agreement comes into force, through exchange of Diplomatic notes.

The new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement was signed on 12th November 2016 by the Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry on behalf of the Government of India during her visit to Bhutan on 11th-13th November, 2016. As per its provisions, the new Agreement was to come into force on a mutually decided date. As agreed to by both India and Bhutan, the new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan has come into force with effect from 29th July 2017.

The new Agreement will further strengthen the bilateral trade relations between India and Bhutan.

 

[Hindustani78]

VISAKHAPATNAM, August 15, 2017 08:26 IST
Updated: August 15, 2017 08:26 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...r-cargo-to-have-rfid-tags/article19495909.ece

Aim is to prevent tampering and diversion midway

Nepal-bound cargo will have radio frequency identification (RFID) tags as a pilot project to prevent their tampering and diversion midway.

With Visakhapatnam being declared the second gateway port after Kolkata for the Himalayan State for export import cargo, Asian Development Bank-funded RFID project is being executed to make it operational from Visakhapatnam shortly after its launch in Kolkata next month, Commissioner of Customs D.K. Srinivas told The Hindu on Monday.

RFID, which is useful for all, would also be implemented for all other cargoes in a phased manner. RFID tags help identify the movement of truck-bound sealed containers and in full rakes. This prevents diversion or theft from the specified route. For the cargo bound for Bhutan also RFID is being introduced.

As part of bilateral treaties, free access to international trade is being extended to both the land-locked countries by India. For Nepal, there are 16 entry points from India. “The dwell time for cargo from the ships takes two days on an average in Visakhapatnam as against seven days in Kolkata,” Mr. Srinivas said. Transportation time from Visakhapatnam is around four to five days whereas it is two to three days. As on today, the Railways has operated three consignments of box trains from the city to Nepal. The composition of cargo is also changing with interest shown by many to transport soya bean, gypsum, health drinks and other containers.

Dr. Srinivas said during talks with high-level delegation from Nepal, the Himalayan country had been advised to open a consul office in the city to expedite the process for clearances. Now the traders have to depend on the office located in Kolkata. Now for Nepal-bound cargo, an international shipping company is offering dedicated carriers as well as to take care of containers for delivery through rail and road mode up to Birgunj Inland Container Depot. An estimated 20,000 TEU is ferried from Kolkata to Nepal.

Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd, a BOT operator of Visakhapatnam Port Trust, has a world-class facility in the city with plans to expand with an estimated investment of ₹900 crore from 0.6 million TEU to 1.5 million TEU per annum. The terminal handled 3.66 lakh TEU last year with a growth rate of 24% and it is also expecting to maintain the same growth momentum in future, according to VCTPL officials. Container Corporation of India (Concor) has so far operated three rakes from the city to Nepal. By undertaking an aggressive marketing campaign to convince the trading community on benefits in saving time by ferry their cargo from Visakhapatnam to Nepal compared to riverine port in Kolkata, VCTPL expects that they could ensure the operation of at least one rake a week from the city.

Future beckons Parthasaradhi Naidu with schoolchildren whom he adopted at Balaji Nagar in Chittoor on Monday.

Gearing up: A full dress rehearsal of Independence Day parade being conducted in Tirupati on Monday. | Photo Credit: ; - K_V_POORNACHANDRA_KUMAR

Traditional welcome: Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his wife being welcomed by Congress leader N. Pratap Reddy’s family in Ballari on Monday.

S.S. Dasila, Commander, Coast Guard Karnataka District, inspecting the guard of honour during the Independence Day celebrations at the Coast Guard unit heaquarters in Mangaluru on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Supplied