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A host of ongoing projects that seek to improve connectivity between the North East (NE) and the rest of India, with Kolkata serving as the hub of operations, are expected to boost trade with the land-locked seven sisters of the region, besides facilitating commerce with neighbouring countries.

The operationalisation of the Sittwe port in Rakhaine province of Myanmar, on which work is nearing its end, will serve as a vital step in that direction. The $120-mn Sittwe port is a part of the India-sponsored $448-mn Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP), which aims to connect Kolkata to the NE via the Bay of Bengal.

It is imperative that the Switte port becomes operational at the earliest and the Indo-Bangladesh protocol routes become more vibrant through the operationalisation of the Ashuganj terminal and the Narayanganj fairway, boosting connectivity to the NE, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, has said.