Initially on experimental basis transport of foodgrains like rice, wheat and sugar has been allowed from Paschim Banga's Haldia Port via Ashuganj port in Bangladesh.
At present, the distance between Kolkata and Agartala is 1,700 km. But through Bangladesh the distance dramatically shrinks to 400 km.
"We had demanded for transporting food grains through Ashuganj and now the FCI chairman Sheraj Hussain has said that food grains of FCI to be used in public distribution system (PDS) will be transported here using the Ashuganj river port. This will not only reduce the transportation time but also costs," said Manik Dey, Transport, Food and Civil Supply Minister.