The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) in Myanmar was conceptualized and is being administered by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with a view to facilitate connectivity between the mainland and the North Eastern States of the country through maritime shipping, inland waterways and roads of Myanmar. The link between North Eastern States of India and Myanmar will pave the way for enhanced trade & commerce across the border and enable cultural and social integration at the regional level. MEA had appointed Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) as the Project Development Consultant (PDC) for the implementation of the Port & Inland Water Transport (IWT) component of the Kaladan Project on 19.3.2009 and by Supplementary Agreement dated 28.4.2016.
India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL) has been established as a Joint Venture between Kandla Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust for the purpose of development of ports overseas. IPGPL was asked to partner IWAI in the Kaladan project as a sub-PDC. This was suggested mainly to use and develop the capabilities of IPGPL which has been created for a specialized purpose, completing the implementation of Kaladan project within the scheduled timeframe of April 2019 and to provide relief to IWAI whose responsibilities have increased manifold due to declaration of 106 new National Waterways and implementing the ambitious ‘Jal Marg Vikas” project.
Accordingly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between IWAI and IPGPL on 1.6.2016 for implementation of the following three additional works, which are independent of the on-going works and are estimated to cost Rs.476 crore.
(i) Container handling facilities at Sittwe & Paletwa
(ii) Operation & Maintenance of the completed works
(iii) Wrecks removed in Sittwe Port basin area
IWAI shall remain as the overall PDC to MEA for implementation of PORT & IWT component of Kaladan project.