The ambitious Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), which will connect Mizoram with the Bay of Bengal, is scheduled for completion by July 2025, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has said.
Introduction
The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a collaborative initiative between India and Myanmar, designed to establish an integrated transport network for cargo movement between India’s eastern ports and Myanmar.
Project Overview
- Connectivity Highlights:
-
- Links Kolkata Port in eastern India with Sittwe Port in Myanmar’s Rakhine State via sea, reducing the shipping distance by approximately 1,328 km.
- Connects Sittwe Port to Paletwa in Chin State through the Kaladan River.
- Extends from Paletwa by road to Mizoram, India, located near the Bangladesh border.
- Project Components:
-
- Sea Route: Covers 539 km from Kolkata to Sittwe.
- River Route: Spans 158 km from Sittwe to Paletwa via the Kaladan River.
- Road Route: Includes a 110 km stretch from Paletwa to the Indo-Myanmar border, extending further into Mizoram.
Significance of the Project
A) Economic Importance:
- Reduces dependency on the congested Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck) for transportation.
- Facilitates the economic growth of India’s Northeastern States by providing a direct sea route for trade.
B) Strategic Importance:
- Strengthens India’s strategic position in East Asia and its immediate neighbourhood.
- Offers a secure alternative route to bypass the Chicken’s Neck, reducing logistical vulnerabilities and improving frontier management.
- Aligns with and reinforces India’s Act East Policy, enhancing regional connectivity and cooperation.
