Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) is expected to be fully operational by 2027, marking a major boost for connectivity and trade in India’s northeast region.
The ambitious project, developed under the India–Myanmar Friendship Treaty, will drastically reduce the distance between Aizawl in Mizoram and Kolkata by 700 kilometers. It also provides a strategic alternative to the narrow Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which is the current land link between the northeast and the Indian mainland.
The Shipping Ministry has already invested ₹1,000 crore in developing the waterway components of the project, with other government agencies managing the road infrastructure. The route involves transport on the Kaladan River up to Myanmar’s Paletwa (159 km), followed by a 110 km road link to the Mizoram border, which is under construction and slated for completion by 2027.
Sonowal highlighted that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East policy, putting the northeast at the center of India’s regional development and integration with Southeast Asia. He also said the successful execution of Sittwe Port in Myanmar signals the government’s commitment to improving regional trade logistics.
Once operational, the KMMTTP is expected to unlock new trade corridors for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, enhancing their access to international sea routes. It will also significantly benefit Tripura by reducing transit time and logistics costs.
Sittwe Port is set to handle exports such as rice, timber, seafood, petroleum products, and garments from Myanmar, while imports will include construction materials like cement, steel, and bricks.
