ET has learnt that the first consignment of over 2,000 tonnes of onions is on its way to Bangladesh, which will help bring down onion prices in that country during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The consignment, from Maharashtra, will reach Bangladesh in about 56 hours, sources said, adding that India will send additional consignments also via rail. The means to trade with Bangladesh for food items will not only keep inflation down but also enable items to reach Bangladesh in better condition than via road, sources pointed out.
The bulk of India’s trade with Bangladesh is road based and goes through West Bengal. But sources said the Centre is keen to trade with Bangladesh in future via rail, which is a smooth and cost effective mean, and in which the state government has no role.
