The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will pick an operation and maintenance (O&M) contractor through a tender for commercial utilisation of port and inland water transport facilities developed under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP).

The ₹2,904.04-crore Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project seeks to create an alternative access route to the North-Eastern region by developing a multi-modal mode of transport for shipment of cargo from the Eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to the North-Eastern part of India through Myanmar.

The project linking Sittwe Port in Myanmar to the India-Myanmar border is expected to contribute to the economic development of the North-Eastern States, by opening up the sea route for products. It also provides a strategic link to the North-East, thereby reducing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor.

India, Myanmar interests

The development of this project not only serves the economic, commercial and strategic interests of India, but also contributes to the development of Myanmar, and its economic integration with India. Since the project is of political and strategic significance, it was decided to execute it through India's grant assistance to Myanmar.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the project development consultant, in association with the project implementing agency, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), organised a stakeholders’ conference recently in connection with the selection of a port operator for Phase-I of KMTTP.

“Private operators/stakeholders in Myanmar and India along with officials of the Government of Myanmar, Myanmar Port Authority, MEA and Ministry of Shipping/IWAI attended the conference. During discussions, operators/stakeholders in Myanmar and India evinced keen interest in bidding as O&M operator for KMTTP Phase-1,” a Shipping Ministry official said.

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