India and Bangladesh had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up the first Indo-Bangla international railway connectivity in 2013. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Agartala-Akhaura project virtually from New Delhi and Dhaka.
The project will open new areas of connectivity, trade and commerce for the landlocked state of Tripura. CM Dr Manik Saha also joined the event virtually from Agartala.
At the inaugural event, PM Modi said that his government signed the Indo-Bangla Land Boundary Agreement because it will resolve the maritime boundary issue and improve infrastructure development and boost connectivity between India and Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister also added that the bilateral relations have strengthened connectivity between both countries and has also boosted Bangladesh’s energy sector and regional connectivity. Tripura CM Dr Saha said that the Agartala-Akhaura railway project is crucial for the northeastern region and will make Tripura a gateway for tourism.
“This day will go down in golden letters in the history of the Indo-Bangla relationship. Tripura will be the gateway for tourism and transport between India and Bangladesh. With the establishment of the Agartala-Akhaura railway project, the distance between Agartala and Kolkata will now reduce from 1,600 km to 500 km,” said the Tripura CM.
The Indian Railway Construction International Limited or IRCON, a PSU under the Indian Railways completed the Indian side while Texmaco implemented the work on Bangladesh.
