By Firstdespatch Desk Nov 01, 2023
Agartala, Nov 1 (FD) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said that the relation between India and neighbouring Bangladesh are reaching new heights and the countries have done many works in last nine years, which were not done even in the decades before this.
Prime Minister said this in an interaction with his Bangladesh counterpart during inauguration of three India assisted development projects virtually, which include Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit-II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
“I am delighted as we have connected to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation. Relations between the two countries are reaching new heights continuously. We have done so many works in the last nine years, which were not done even in the decades before this”, Modi said.
He also mentioned that Tripura had a very strong relation with Bangladesh since the days of its liberation movement.
The PM said, “The trade between the two neighbours has tripled. The inauguration of the Akhaura-Agartala rail link is a historic moment… This is the first rail link between Bangladesh and the North Eastern states of India”.
Modi said, “India will continue to support Bangladesh in developments and implement the dreams of Bangbandhu to create golden Bangladesh (Sonar Bangla)”, he said.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, the inauguration of these projects would further strengthen the collaboration for infrastructure development of the countries and further improve the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The joint inauguration of these important projects only show that we have strong bond of friendship and collaboration. I also thank PM Modi for the warm hospitality during my visit in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit,” the Bangladesh Prime Minister said.
She also expressed her greetings in advance to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India for Diwali.
The international immigration centre of the Agartala-Akhaura railway link would be set up at Nischintapur, which is India’s last railway station along the Indo-Bangla border. Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh, parts of which are still unfenced due to local disputes.
All the expenses of the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link project was borne by the government of India and spent Rs.392.52 crore which was extended to Bangldesh as grant assistance
Of the 12.24 KM long Agartala –Akhaura rail link 6.78 km Dual Gauge rail line is in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura.
The trial run for the Agartala –Akhaura rail link was completed on Monday last after a train from Gangasagar railway station in Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh arrived at the Nischintapur railway station near here.
Officials said the government of India had spent 388.92 million US dollars to implement the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line.
Under this project 65 KM long broad gauge rail route was constructed between Mongla Port and the existing rail network in Khulna in Bangladesh.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project was implemented by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited which is a 50:50 Joint Venture company between India's NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board.
The government of India spent the expenses under a concessional Financing Scheme loan of 1.6 billion US dollars, is a 1320 MW Super Thermal Power Plant located in Rampal in Khulna Division of Bangladesh.
These projects will strengthen connectivity and energy security in the region. FD JK