Centre flags off vessel carrying food grains from Bihar to Guwahati

The minister stated that the planned inter modal terminal at Kalughat, Bihar with Rs 78 crore will provide boost to region’s socio-economic development

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry has said that the Pilot movement of food grains on vessel from Patna (Bihar) to Pandu (Guwahati) will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’. Addressing virtually on the occasion of “Flagging off of vessel” MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying food grains from Patna to Pandu and unveiling of foundation stone for terminal at Kalughat (Bihar) on February 5, 2022.

Piyush Goyal said that this 2,350 km voyage will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’ (Assam) and ensure seamless waterways connectivity to NE Region through Ganga & Brahmaputra rivers. He said that flagging of the vessel named ‘MV Lal Bahadur Shastri’ reminds me of Shastriji’s slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.

The minister stated that the planned intermodal terminal at Kalughat, Bihar with Rs 78 crore will provide boost to region’s socio-economic development and create multiple job opportunities. This will also help decongest the roads of North Bihar and provide an alternative route for transportation of cargo in this area. He further said that this route from Patna can prove to be a viable alternative to the conventional mode of movement of foodgrains & goods for NE region.

The Minister also mentioned that India-Bangladesh friendship is reaching new heights under Prime Minister Narendra Modi & HE Sheikh Hasina. This event is another milestone and a testament to ever-growing friendship between India and Bangladesh, he said. This first food grain movement will be an integrated IWT movement via National Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra).

The minister stated that the planned inter