Context: India is considering proposals to connect Bangladesh’s Matarbari Port to Northeastern States.

About:

Matarbari Port is a deep-sea port under construction at Matarbari in Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh. Some key details about the port include:

- Type of harbor: Artificial

- Construction started in 2011

- Located near the Bay of Bengal coast

- Modeled after the Kashima Port in Japan, but 2.5 times larger in terms of construction

- Connection to the sea will be made through building breakwater dams to prevent silting up

- Japanese funding and technical assistance involved in the project

Significance:

- Expected to become South Asia's commercial hub due to strategic location

- Planned to reduce pressure on the Port of Chittagong

- Transformation of Matarbari into an industrial hub, increased trade, job opportunities, and economic growth

- Development of a special economic zone, including a logistics park, power plants, and LNG terminal