Agartala, July 03: With the goal to encourage tourism and water connectivity in Tripura, Minister for Tourism proposed approval for one cruise ship and six passenger vessels for setting up an IWAT in Dumboor Lake.

On Wednesday, Chowdhury wrote a letter to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways- Sarbananda Sonowal seeking approval for the proposal as well as to resolve some challenges including linkage of Gomati River of Tripura with Meghna River System in Bangladesh through Sonamura-Doudkandi protocol route (IB protocol route 9 & 10).

The letter also proposed dredging of Indo-Bangladesh waterways Protocol Route (Sonamura-Daudkandi) beyond International Border inside Bangladesh (20 kms) including the "no man's land" in order to achieve successful dredging and fruitful result on the dredging of Gomati River in the Indian portion.

He also placed proposal for extension of Sonamura- Daudkandi Protocol Route up to Udaipur (40 km).

Chowdhury mentioned in the letter, “Initiatives may be taken up for linking Sonamura-Daudkandi waterway to ports in Bangladesh such as Ashuganj, Mongla, and Chittagong, further connecting with important Indian rivers like Ganga (National Waterway-1), Brahmaputra (National Waterway-2), Barak (National Waterway-16), ultimately, to connect to Haldia port in Kolkata through sea routes and Sittwe port of the Kaladan project in Myanmar.”

He also sought approval for the proposed purchase of at least six to ten passenger vessels in order to boost tourism and make it easier for commuters to cross the River Gomati every day.

While congratulating the Union Minister for his straight second term, Chowdhury wrote, “In order to realize our vision of ‘Ek Tripura, Sresth Tripura’, we gladly appeal for your support in the development of inland water transportation in Tripura.”