Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday, 7 July 2025, that the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project connecting India and Myanmar will be fully operational by 2027. The strategic project will shorten the travel distance between Aizawl and Kolkata by 700 km, significantly improving connectivity in the Northeast.

Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Mr Sonowal said the Sittwe Port in Myanmar is complete, with road connectivity to Aizawl currently under development. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is investing Rs 10 billion in developing the waterways component of the project, with other agencies handling the remaining infrastructure.

“The Kaladan project is a game-changer for Northeast India,” Mr Sonowal said. “As per the Prime Minister’s vision of transformation through transportation, we aim to position the Northeast as a key business hub for South Asia.”

The Kaladan project, jointly developed by India and Myanmar, is designed to create a seamless multimodal transport corridor for cargo movement from India’s eastern seaports to Myanmar and onward to Northeast India.

Mr Sonowal stressed that the Northeastern region will play a vital role in reviving India’s economic prosperity, with inland waterways emerging as a crucial enabler of regional trade and connectivity.