Bangladesh and India on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the route permit for carrying petroleum products from Assam to Tripura through Bangladesh territory.
Based on the request by the government of India, the government of Bangladesh has granted permission for the movement of petroleum products on “humanitarian grounds” through the territory of Bangladesh till September 2016, officials said, reports unb.
The petroleum products are motor spirit, high-speed diesel, superior kerosene oil and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Roads and Highways Department of the Government of Bangladesh (RHD) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a public sector unit under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the government of India signed the MoU.
Heavy monsoons and the resultant extreme bad road condition from Tripura to Assam (NH-44) have resulted in the disruption in the supply of petroleum goods from the State of Assam to the State of Tripura in India.
Trucks carrying the petroleum goods will ply the Dawki (Meghalaya) – Tamabil (Bangladesh) – Chatlapur (Bangladesh) – Kailasshar (Tripura) routes, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
People in Tripura are witnessing excessive crises of essentials and fuel as communication between Tripura and other Indian States has suffered a disruption, said a Foreign Ministry statement here.
Bangladesh government gave the permission on humanitarian grounds and considering Bangladesh-India existing friendly relations and historical bonding with the people of Tripura, said the statement.
Indian trucks and lorry carrying fuel will ply through Bangladesh territory till September 30, said the Foreign Ministry.
The Indian government agreed to pay the required fees for the use and maintenance of the roads.
Roads and Highways Department additional chief engineer and IOCL executive director signed the MoU on their respective sides at the Foreign Ministry.
Senior officials of the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka and ministries concerned were present.