Inland waterways connectivity will shape trade, tourism, navigation between India, Nepal

Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Barsha Man Pun has said that inland waterways connectivity will shape the future of trade, tourism and navigation between India and Nepal.

He said it will stimulate industrial development in Nepal and have profound impact on the economy.

Inaugurating a seminar on “Cross Border Inland Waterways: Exploring New Avenues of Connectivity” in Kathmandu Monday evening, Pun said waterways connectivity is priority of Nepal Govt and all necessary steps will be taken up to start it as early as possible.

In his address Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken development of inland waterways as one of the priority projects of Govt of India.

He said waterways has huge potential and it can be one of the key and quickly implementable initiatives to improve efficiency and cost of logistics in Nepal.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Embassy of India and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs.

In April this year, the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal had decided to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal.

This new initiative would enable cost effective and efficient movement of cargo.