Two trade corridors to improve connectivity between India and neighbours

KOLKATA: Two trade corridors, which will improve connectivity between Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India, are now in their pre-construction stage, West Bengal PWD minister Shankar Chakravorti told the Assembly today.

During his budget speech in the House, he said that the two important trade corridors are in the pre-construction stage under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program of Asian Development Bank.

The development of these sectors would augment international trade via surface and would also provide sub-regional co-operation and connectivity among Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh, the minister said.

AH-2 corridor of 37.27 km length will be from Nepal to Bangladesh via Bagdogra in West Bengal.

AH-48 corridor of 90.57 km length will be from Bhutan to Bangladesh via Alipurduar district of West Bengal.

The minister said ADB has already funded a technical assistance grant for carrying out a feasibility study and detailed engineering design for a North-South Road Corridor project.