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Dhaka to ask Delhi to double river transit fee
Dhaka to ask Delhi to double river transit fee
Monday, 16 January 2012
Author / Source : Jasim Uddin Khan
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Dhaka, Jan 15: Dhaka will ask New Delhi to enhance the annual maintenance charge for inland water transit, to Tk. 10 crore, from Tk. 5.5 crore at present. The proposal will be put forward at the 14th Standing Committee meeting, scheduled to be held here in March, under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit/Transhipment (PIWTT).
Dhaka will also ask New Delhi to pay outstanding service charges, conduct a joint hydrographic survey of the Dhulian-Aricha extension of the protocol route and assistance in dredging.
Besides, it will seek to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi vessels in Kolkata and register its objection to a new route along the Sundarbans.
The foreign ministry has prepared an agenda, detailing Dhakas position on the issues for the March meeting.
About seeking to increase maintenance charges, the ministrys position paper explains that navigability on the PIWTT route (Zikiganj-Ashuganj) has deteriorated drastically and, therefore, the cost of maintenance for the same needs to be increased.
The position paper points out that the Indian side has diverted all the vessels under PIWTT through an alternative route via Shamshernagar, which is just outside the periphery of Sundarbans tiger reserve, without prior consent of Bangladesh.
It also points out that vessel operators resent sailing on the route, saying it increases operational hazards, as it is a long detour, requiring additional fuel and more time, because of the narrow and zig-zag waterways.
The paper mentions that India needs to clear services charges worth Tk. 31 lakh, which has accumulated since 1981, for berthing and landing and for use of MG Canal.
The issue was discussed at the February 2011 protocol renewal meeting held at Goa, but the India side is yet to pay up. Dhaka will also seek permission to operate its ships for domestic purposes inside the Indian territory, as the country has extra commercial vessels.
Bangladesh will also request India to form a joint survey team for conducting a hydrographic survey for viability of the DhulianAricha extension of the protocol route (5-6).
It will also request India to take necessary steps to ensure safety of Bangladeshi vessels operating under the protocol, in Kolkata.
On May 31 last year, Bangladesh and India amended the PIWTT and included Ashuganj as the fifth port of call in Bangladesh, and Shilghat as a port of call for Bangladeshi goods on the Indian side.
Prior to that, India had been getting transit facility through a river route in Zakiganj, since 1972, based on the original PIWTT, renewed regularly. The current revised protocol will expire in March next year.
According to the 1972 protocol, India currently pays a fixed fee of Tk. 5.25 crore annually, as route maintenance charges. Pilotage fee, canal and berthing charges, and landing, shipping and freight charges are paid per ship, by transport companies.
Dhaka to ask Delhi to double river transit fee
Monday, 16 January 2012
Author / Source : Jasim Uddin Khan
E-mail Print PDF
Dhaka, Jan 15: Dhaka will ask New Delhi to enhance the annual maintenance charge for inland water transit, to Tk. 10 crore, from Tk. 5.5 crore at present. The proposal will be put forward at the 14th Standing Committee meeting, scheduled to be held here in March, under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit/Transhipment (PIWTT).
Dhaka will also ask New Delhi to pay outstanding service charges, conduct a joint hydrographic survey of the Dhulian-Aricha extension of the protocol route and assistance in dredging.
Besides, it will seek to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi vessels in Kolkata and register its objection to a new route along the Sundarbans.
The foreign ministry has prepared an agenda, detailing Dhakas position on the issues for the March meeting.
About seeking to increase maintenance charges, the ministrys position paper explains that navigability on the PIWTT route (Zikiganj-Ashuganj) has deteriorated drastically and, therefore, the cost of maintenance for the same needs to be increased.
The position paper points out that the Indian side has diverted all the vessels under PIWTT through an alternative route via Shamshernagar, which is just outside the periphery of Sundarbans tiger reserve, without prior consent of Bangladesh.
It also points out that vessel operators resent sailing on the route, saying it increases operational hazards, as it is a long detour, requiring additional fuel and more time, because of the narrow and zig-zag waterways.
The paper mentions that India needs to clear services charges worth Tk. 31 lakh, which has accumulated since 1981, for berthing and landing and for use of MG Canal.
The issue was discussed at the February 2011 protocol renewal meeting held at Goa, but the India side is yet to pay up. Dhaka will also seek permission to operate its ships for domestic purposes inside the Indian territory, as the country has extra commercial vessels.
Bangladesh will also request India to form a joint survey team for conducting a hydrographic survey for viability of the DhulianAricha extension of the protocol route (5-6).
It will also request India to take necessary steps to ensure safety of Bangladeshi vessels operating under the protocol, in Kolkata.
On May 31 last year, Bangladesh and India amended the PIWTT and included Ashuganj as the fifth port of call in Bangladesh, and Shilghat as a port of call for Bangladeshi goods on the Indian side.
Prior to that, India had been getting transit facility through a river route in Zakiganj, since 1972, based on the original PIWTT, renewed regularly. The current revised protocol will expire in March next year.
According to the 1972 protocol, India currently pays a fixed fee of Tk. 5.25 crore annually, as route maintenance charges. Pilotage fee, canal and berthing charges, and landing, shipping and freight charges are paid per ship, by transport companies.
