Kaladan project moves closer to full operations as cargo reaches Myanmar's Sittwe Port

India's flagship Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) has achieved another operational milestone with cargo successfully reaching Sittwe Port in Myanmar, reinforcing efforts to establish an alternative trade corridor linking eastern India with the Northeast through sea, inland waterways and road transport. The development marks continued progress on one of India's most strategic cross-border connectivity projects under its Act East policy.

The Kaladan project integrates three transport modes. Cargo is shipped from Kolkata Port to Sittwe Port by sea, transported approximately 158 km along the Kaladan River to Paletwa by inland waterway, and then moved by road to Zorinpui in Mizoram, providing an alternative to the narrow Siliguri Corridor for supplying India's Northeast. Once fully operational, the route is expected to reduce the Kolkata–Aizawl distance by nearly 700 km, lowering transit time and logistics costs for regional trade.

For the logistics sector, the corridor creates a new multimodal gateway for containerised and project cargo while improving supply chain resilience. It is expected to facilitate exports and imports for industries in the Northeast, strengthen links with Myanmar and Southeast Asia, and reduce dependence on congested overland routes. The project also enhances India's strategic access to the Bay of Bengal and supports long-term regional economic integration under BIMSTEC and the Act East policy.

While key infrastructure, including Sittwe Port and the inland waterway segment, is operational, the remaining road connectivity inside Myanmar is still under development. According to the Government of India, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is targeted to become fully operational by 2027, subject to progress on the final road section and the security situation in Myanmar.

The latest cargo movement demonstrates that operational activity is gradually increasing even before full project completion. As remaining infrastructure becomes available, the Kaladan corridor is expected to emerge as a critical trade and logistics gateway connecting India's Northeast with global shipping routes through Myanmar.