Protocol for Inland Water Trade and Transit Route (PIWTT)
Protocol for Inland Water Trade & Transit (PIWTT) is an agreement signed between India and Bangladesh for inland waterways connectivity. PIWTT was signed in the year 1972 and was renewed in 2015. After renewal, PIWTT has a provision of automatic renewal after 5 years.
Second Addendum of PIWTT
- Recently, on May 20, 2020 a second addendum was included in PIWTT for adding new routes and ports of call. The 2nd addendum was signed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Before the second addendum, there were total 8 Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes which were increased to 10. Along with adding new routes, new locations were also added to the existing routes.
- The newly added route no.9 and 10 is Sonamura – Daudkhandi stretch in Gumti River, a 93 km long stretch in Tripura.
- Other than this, Kolkata-Shilghat-Kolkata has been added in routes 1 & 2 and Kolkata-Karimganj-Kolkata, Kolaghat has been included in routes 3 & 4.
- In addition to adding new IBP routes, ports of call between both the countries have been increased. Now, both India and Bangladesh have 11 Ports of Call and two extended Ports of Call each. Before the 2nd addendum, the numbers of port of calls were 6 in each country.
First commercial Shipment from Bangladesh to India through PIWTT route
Recently, on November 9, 2020, India has received the 1st commercial shipment from Bangladesh through water route (PIWTT route). The shipment was received in Karimganj, Assam. The main aim of this agreement is to increase trade and prosperity between both the countries through inland waterways.