Modi's Dhaka visit: India may agree to take part in building new port.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coming visit to Bangladesh is likely to see an agreement on India's participation in the construction of a deep-sea port there.

The port, Payra, will be in Patuakhali district on the Bay of Bengal. The governments of Britain, Netherlands and China have also shown interest. Officials said a consortium involving different countries could be formed.

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Currently, Bangladesh has two ports. With close to 90 per cent of the maritime trade being routed through Chittagong port, its performance has suffered. The second port, called Mongla, handles the remaining trade. The new port being planned is located between these two. Commodities meant for India's northeastern states like Tripura are routed through Chittagong and then transported via road.

According to the feasibility studies, $2 billion will be required to develop Payra port. To determine India’s participation before Modi's visit, a delegation of three people from the shipping ministry recently visited the country and the site.

BS