News on Indian Papers (r)

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The Asian Age : ASSAM plans cargo services to Burma
Guwahati, Dec. 23: The Assam government has taken up a number of plans to 
expand the water transport service to augment revenue. An official report 
said the government would explore the possibility of opening a cargo 
service between Assam and Burma, which will not only help in putting an 
end to the illegal border trade between two countries but also contribute 
about Rs 20 crores to the state government exchequer. The ministry of 
surface transport has already been requested to amend the Indo-Bangla 
protocol for adding another water route, Assam-Chittagon-Rangoon, and 
obtaining permission for loading and unloading of goods at Bangladesh 
ports, it said.
 
The state inland water transport department is also making efforts for 
more commercial cargo services between Calcutta and Guwahati and Calcutta 
and Karimgan. The department is also expected to come to an understanding 
with Trifed, a central government undertaking, for transporting one lakh 
tonnes of limestone from Meghalaya to Bangladesh. This will fetch a Rs 6 
crores revenue.(UNI)