By Firstdespatch Desk Mar 26, 2023
Agartala, Mar 26 (FD) The railway communication between Bangladesh and Tripura through Akhaura border in Agartala can be started by June next, Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said this after inspecting the progress of the railway work at Akhaura border near Nishchintpur on Sunday.
According to Chowdhury if the project is expected to be completed within nest four-five months, will reduce travel time and distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka.
The new rail link will also facilitate trade and sub-regional connectivity between the two neighboring countries, which will strengthen their friendly relations, he added.
The Minister also said that the Nishchintpur railway station on the Indian side of the border is almost completed and is equipped with modern facilities for passengers, including entertainment, food court, immigration counter, and ATM.
A rail yard for loading and unloading of goods is also being constructed next to the station, Chowdhury said adding that once the project is launched, it will take only 10 hours to travel between Agartala and Kolkata, reducing the distance from 1,600 km to only 550 km.
The project is a significant step towards enhancing railway connectivity and providing better railway services in the region.
MLA Meenarani Sarkar of 14-Badharghat assembly constituency, Secretary of Transport Department Utpal Kumar Chakma, Additional Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, engineers of Indian Railway Construction Limited associated with railway construction accompanied the minister during the visit.
Both the countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the railway project in 2013.