India-Myanmar Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project
The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project is in the final stages. Union External Affairs Minister S. Jayashankar has said that the project has been delayed due to various challenges.
Key Points:
- The Foreign Minister further stated that, Sittwe Port has been operational for some time now.
- He also said, the Paletwa Inland Water Terminal Project has also progressed.
- The Foreign Minister also said that the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project was delayed due to road construction.He said that the region faces some law and order challenges.
Background:
The Kaladan project, costing $ 484 million, was to be completed by 2014.
Kaladan Road Project:
The Kaladan Road Project is a US$484 million project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India. The project is also seen as an important component of India’s ‘Act East Policy’, which seeks to connect India with South-East Asia through Myanmar.
Sittwe:
It is the capital of the Rakhine state of Myanmar. The city is located on an island. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Kaladan, Mayu and Le Mero.
Source – The Hindu