Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai today inaugurated the Dawki land port in presence of Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Sniawbhalang Dhar.
“The land port will certainly strengthen the relations of India and the neighbouring Bangladesh,” said Rai while addressing the inaugural programme at Dawki.
“The land port is expected to boost the tourism and business sectors of Meghalaya as well as the country. It has been made keeping in mind the two countries’ requirements. It has a good infrastructure, a slew of facilities such as go-down, canteen, cargo for tourists and electric substation, among others are also available here. The aim is to bring together all the agencies and stakeholders under a single roof,” Rai added.
The Dawki land port is an important project of the Government of India, aimed at promoting trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh. It is located in the West Jaintia Hills, 55 kms from the district headquarters, Jowai, and about 84 kms from Shillong. The corresponding land port in Bangladesh is Tamabil, located in the Sylhet district.
Dawki land port serves as a vital trade and transportation hub between India and Bangladesh, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and vehicles across the border. It also facilitates passenger movement across the border.
Development of the Dawki land port was approved by the High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) of the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 4, 2016.
The land port is spread over a total area of 23.0 acres. The total cost (land cost & development cost) of the land port is Rs 83.38 crore. The total cost includes Rs 9 crore as land cost and Rs 74.38 crore as development cost.
To meet the projected cargo and traffic requisite infrastructure facilities have been planned at the land port. These include Passenger Terminal Building, Cargo Terminal Building, Warehouse, Toilet Blocks for Export Drivers, Canteen with Washrooms, Entrance/Exit Gate for Passengers and Cargo Vehicles, Electric Substation, Rummaging Shed, Pump House, Sewage Treatment Plan and Underground Water Tank.
The inaugural function was also attended by the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma, Chairman Land Port Authority Bangladesh Mohd Alamgir, Land Port Authority of India Chairman Aditya Mishra and other senior officials of Government of Meghalaya.
