Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina together inaugurated several pivotal developmental initiatives via virtual mode. These projects encompassed a crucial rail link connecting Tripura’s Nischintapur to Gangasagar in neighboring Bangladesh, the 65-km Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line, and the commissioning of Unit 2 of the Rampal site of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh. The inauguration had a particular focus on the cross-border rail project situated near Tripura’s capital, Agartala, connecting it to Akhaura in Bangladesh. With the aim of enhancing cross-border trade, this project is slated to significantly curtail travel time between Agartala and Kolkata, traversing through Dhaka.
Prime Minister Modi characterized the Agartala-Akhaura Cross Border Rail Link inauguration as a “historic” moment, heralding it as the primary rail linkage between the northeast of India and Bangladesh. All three initiatives represent collaborative endeavors supported by India. The 12.24-km rail project, involving a dual gauge line in Bangladesh and Tripura, underwent a successful trial run on Monday, culminating in a train’s arrival from Gangasagar railway station in Brahmanbaria district, Bangladesh, to Nischintapur railway station.
Also read: BANGLADESH RECEIVES EU SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
In a video-conference interaction with PM Hasina, Prime Minister Modi expressed elation in celebrating the success of the India-Bangladesh cooperation. Modi emphasized the unprecedented progress achieved in the last nine years through joint efforts, marking a substantial departure from past decades. He stated, “It is a matter of joy that we have connected once again to celebrate the success of the India-Bangladesh cooperation. In the past nine years, the work we have done together has not happened in decades”. PM Hasina lauded the collaborative spirit encapsulated in the joint inauguration of these vital projects, underscoring the robust bond of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. She extended gratitude to PM Modi for the warm reception during her September visit to the G20 Summit.
Highlighting the symbiotic relationship, Hasina emphasized the pivotal role played by amicable relations in accelerating a country’s development. The Bangladesh Prime Minister accentuated the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, forecasting numerous successes to emerge from their collaboration. She stated, “I think it is an instance for the world. We have proved that good relations with neighbors accelerate the country’s development. It is a demonstration of having rare friendly relations and mutual cooperation. Bangladesh and India will attain many successes in the days to come through mutual cooperation, which will strengthen the relationship between the two countries”. Moreover, she acknowledged the role of joint efforts in ensuring peace and stability in India’s northeast region and establishing connectivity between several Indian states and their northeast via Chattogram and Mongla Ports.
Also read: PM MODI TARGETS RS 80 LAKH CRORE INVESTMENT IN MARITIME SECTOR
Official reports indicated that India extended Rs 392.52 crore as grant assistance to Bangladesh for the Agartala-Akhaura Cross Border Rail Link, underscoring the collaborative financial support between the two nations. Further, Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Saha emphasized the strategic importance of the rail project. Saha anticipated that the rail link would transform the state into a gateway for trade, connectivity, and tourism for other northeastern states while substantially reducing the distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka. The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line initiative involved the construction of a 65-km broad gauge route connecting Bangladesh’s Mongla Port to the existing rail network in Khulna. This new link is poised to facilitate train operations to western destinations within Bangladesh and even provide a direct route to Dhaka through the Khulna and Padma Bridges.
Bangladeshi officials had previously expressed the aim of operating freight trains to various Indian destinations, such as Gede, Radikapur, Singhabad, and even extending to Nepal and Bhutan. The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, a 1,320-MW installation located in Rampal, Khulna division, was brought to fruition by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd—a joint venture equally shared between India’s NTPC and the Bangladesh Power Development Board. These projects collectively mark a significant stride in the shared efforts between India and Bangladesh, showcasing a new era of cooperation, infrastructure development, and mutual growth between the two nations.
