Introduction

With a view to boost up trade and commerce among Asian Nations, in 1959, United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (UN-ECAFE) initiated to establish road network linking Asian nations. Currently, 31 Asian nations are ready to connect themselves with nearly 140, 000 kilometer of road networks extending from Tokyo to Ankara. Bangladesh just missed the opportunity to get connected with the Asian highway network, because of its failure to negotiate the proposed road connections from India via Benapol to Myanmar via Teknaf (AH-41 route) instead of from India via Benanpol (AH-1) or Bhaglabandha (AH-2) to India via Tamabil (AH-1). However, Bangladesh is conveniently located at the crossroads of Southeastern (all countries east of Bangladesh) and Northwestern (all countries west of Bangladesh) countries of Asia. By connecting Bangladesh with its neighbors, it is not only possible to reduce the travel distances between all countries located east and west of Bangladesh, but also possible to develop better intermodal systems by efficiently connecting seaports and highways, which is one of the driving forces of developing Asian Highway network.

Source: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Asian Highway Handbook, United Nations, New York, 2003

Travel Distance Savings Benefits

The travel distance, in other words travel cost, can significantly affects the opportunities and benefits of trading. Therefore, it is necessary that routes or route segments that minimize travel distances and conveniently connect seaports must be considered. Among the four routes those have recently been considered for Bangladesh, it is found that the Benapol-Teknaf route as compare to Benapol-Tamabil, Bhaglabandha-Tamabil and Bhaglabandha-Teknaf routes, can reduce travel distances between India's capital New Delhi to Myanmar's' Capital Yangon roughly 800 km, 950 km, 150 km, respectively. These travel distance reductions are applicable to all trips that make from any countries located east and west of Bangladesh.

Intermodal Connection Benefits

Taking the advantage of both Asian highway network and existing Indian seaports including Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) and the Chittagong seaport of Bangladesh, all eastern and southeastern Asian nations including China can possibly expand their businesses with middle eastern, European and east African nations. It is again found that Benapol_Teknaf route could significantly reduce travel distances between these seaports and all eastern and southeastern Asian Nations as compare to Benapol-Tamabil route or Bhaglabandha-Tamabil route. For instance, Benapol_Teknaf route can save 1400 km of travel distance between Chittagong port and the Capital of Myanmar as compare to Benapol (Bhaglabandha)_Tamabil route. While the distances saving from India's busiest seaport of Mumbai (Bombay) to Myanmar capital via Benapol_Teknaf route as compare to Bhaglabandha_Tamabil and Benanpol_Tamabil routes are roughly 1800 km, 800 km, respectively; similarly the distances saving from all other seaports including Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata (Calcutta) to Myanmar capital via Benapol_Teknaf route as compare to Bhaglabandha_Tamabil and Benapol_Tamabil are 2300 km, 800 km, respectively.

Major Weaknesses of Tamabil Link

Although, Benapol_Tamabil link seems to be a lucrative option for India to connect its southwestern part with its northeastern part (Indian Territory east and west of Bangladesh), however, it is not a good option if Asian Highway is concerned. There are at least two major reasons why Tamabil link cannot be a good option. First of all, it is an obvious detour of Bangladesh-Myanmar route via Teknaf. Secondly, this connection will increase travel distances between the seaports (as discussed above) and all eastern and southeastern Asian Nations.

Hypothetically assuming that if India is ever having an approval to joint its Siliguri part of Asian highway with Dawki-Moreh part of Asian highway (or under any bilateral agreements, if that link has been allowed to use by other nations), the Asian highway sections of Bangladesh, depending on the routes both Benapol_Tamabil and Banglabandha_Tamabil will be obvious detours of NewDelhi_Kakarbhitta_Siliguri_Moreh route with at least 400 km and 600 km longer, respectively. However, Benapol_Teknaf route is the only route that is not a detour of any Indian routes. In other words, it is the shortest route for all eastern or southeaster Asian Nations.  And it can even reduce the travel distance of 350 km between the capitals of India and Myanmar as compare to NewDelhi_ Kakarbhitta_Siliguri_Moreh route in case it is in place.

Criticism of Government
Despite the potential for significant travel distance reduction in the east west directional movements via Benapol_Teknaf route, the failure of our government to include this route as part of Asian highway and, eventually staying outside of the network will certainly impact our national economy negatively. It seems that poor initiative, slow action; improper assessment of consequences, as well as weak policy settings and diplomatic relations with neighboring states are the major causes of this negotiation failure. We cannot bear the burden of loss resulting from the failure of such a significant national interest Issue. Therefore, government must take timely initiatives; set strong policies as well as form well qualified teams of policy experts on all significant national interest issue efforts in the future.

Conclusion

Based on the discussions above, it seems that Benapol-Teknaf route will be the most desirable option for the best interest of Asian nations including India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Therefore, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (ESCAP) must not ignore the importance of the Benapol-Teknaf route as part of Asian Highway.

About the author: The author is a Senior Transportation Engineer and a Professional Associate of Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc, based in New York