Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday that the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), a strategic India-Myanmar initiative, is on track to become fully operational by 2027, significantly enhancing connectivity to India’s Northeast, PTI reports. Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Sonowal revealed that the project will slash the distance between Aizawl, Mizoram, and Kolkata by 700 km, fostering economic growth in the region.

The KMTTP, a $484 million endeavor, links Kolkata’s seaport to Sittwe Port in Myanmar’s Rakhine State via the Bay of Bengal (539 km), followed by a 158-km river route along the Kaladan River to Paletwa, and a 109-km road from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram. Sonowal confirmed that Sittwe Port and the Paletwa inland water terminal are operational, with his ministry investing ₹1,000 crore in the waterway components. The remaining road segment, under construction by IRCON, is progressing despite challenges from Myanmar’s civil conflict, with completion expected by 2027.

Sonowal emphasized the project’s role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the Northeast into South Asia’s business hub through enhanced transportation. “The Northeast will play a critical role in reviving India’s economic prosperity,” he said, noting that the project bypasses the narrow Siliguri Corridor, reducing logistical vulnerabilities and travel time from 7–8 days to 4–5 days. The initiative, part of India’s Act East Policy, also counters China’s regional influence by strengthening ties with Myanmar.

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Despite delays due to Myanmar’s political instability and past coordination issues, recent assurances from the Arakan Army, which controls parts of Rakhine and Chin States, have boosted optimism for timely completion. The project promises to revolutionize trade, enabling faster movement of goods like food grains and machinery, and spur socio-economic development in Northeast India.

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