India renews commitment to help dredge rivers
India has renewed its commitment to assisting Bangladesh in dredging the rivers of the country by giving nine dredgers.
The commitment was made during a meeting between Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter at the shipping ministry yesterday.
The minister told The Daily Star that India showed its interest in giving nine dredgers but the process of giving the dredgers is yet to be finalised.
During the prime minister's recent visit to India, her Indian counterpart agreed to support implementation of the strategy of the Bangladesh government to dredge rivers for flood control, navigation and access to ports.
In this context, India agreed to provide, inter alia, dredgers to Bangladesh on an urgent basis. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for nine dredgers during her visit.
The minister said, "We have talked about many issues, especially the ones which were discussed during the prime minister's visit."
They have also talked about using Chittagong, Mangla and Ashuganj ports.
Shahjahan said they have requested India to develop its land ports on their parts and Indian high commissioner assured them that they will talk with their authorities concerned in this regard.
The meeting sources said the issues of dredging Kolkata to Ashuganj river route and setting up of new landing stations and container jetties were also discussed.
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