Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT &T) plays a key role in promoting trade. The Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) exists between India and Bangladesh, allowing both countries to use each other's waterways to move cargo in accordance with their respective laws and regulations. Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBP) connects NW-1 with NW-2 and NW-16 providing an alternate route to congested siliguri corridor and congested road routes through Land Custom Stations for Indo- Bangladesh trade. It permits inland vessels from both countries to ply on designated protocol routes and dock at notified Ports of Call for loading and unloading cargo.
There has been a significant improvement in the organized movement of cargo vessels on the Protocol route, facilitating both transit cargo to the North-East (NE) region of India and export cargo to Bangladesh. The Indian transit cargo primarily includes fly-ash, coal, food items, and ODC for power projects in the NE region, while other cargoes being moved consist of wheat, rice, sponge iron, maize, and stone chips.
IBP Route: 2660 km, Bangladesh:1792 km; India:868 km
Thirteen ports of call in each country (six existing, 7 more agreed)
2.5m least available depth (LAD) throughput
Connected to sea ports at Haldia, Kolkata mongla & Chattogram.
During the fiscal year 2023-24, approximately 4.68 million tonnes of traffic were moved on the IBP route, with 3.37 million tonnes
recorded from April to December 2024.
Routes No. 5 & 6 between Maia and Sultanganj have been successfully trialled under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol. Regular operations will commence following consent from the Government of Bangladesh.