AMN
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Mr. G. Kishan Reddy was on a two-day visit to Agartala on 10th and 11th of this month.
On 12th, the Minister had various engagements, one among them was inspection of the Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link Project. The ambitious project is likely to be operational later this year, after its completion.
The project will prove to be a game changer for both India and Bangladesh as it will strengthen the trade and commerce between the two countries.
The soon-to-be-completed Agartala-Akhaura rail link project is very important from the International aspect.
This is also important from the domestic point of view. At present, the rail route from Agartala to Kolkata is around 1600 kilometres and takes about 38 hours.
The footfall of passengers from Agartala to Kolkata is significantly very hight due to the linguistic similarity between two states.
Both states also share age old cultural and business relations and Agartala depends on Kolkata from the medical tourism point of view as well.
Once operational the Agartala-Akhaura Rail link project will reduce the distance by around 500 kilometres and the travel time will be of 16 hours between Agartala and Kolkata.
In addition, this rail link will also provide a direct access between landlocked northeastern India and Chittagong port of Bangladesh.
Union Minister for Development of the North East Region, G. Kishan Reddy chaired a review meeting at Agartala on this rail project.
Holding meeting with the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pratima Bhoumik, State Minister Sushanta Choudhary and officials of the implementing agency, IRCON, Mr. Reddy said this rail project will bolster the bilateral ties including voluminous trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.
Mentionably, the Ministry of DoNER is funding the railway line from Agartala to Nischintpur; whereas Ministry of External Affairs is funding for the rail line from Nischintpur to Gangasagar which is in Bangladesh.
Speaking at the North East Security and Global Employability conclave, Mr. Reddy said that Centre has spent five lakh crore rupees in last eight and a half years in the North eastern region.
The minister also inaugurated various developmental projects in presence of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha.
Speaking on the Vibrant Border Village, union Minister said, central ministers will undertake visit to border villages, bordering China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
After the ministers visit, senior officers in the Government will also pay visit and do a night halt at these border villages.
The DoNER Minister who participated in the Third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave was also attended by Minister of state for foreign affairs of Bangladesh, Shahriar Alam.
Speaking in the conclave Mr Alam said his Government has received around 8-10 more demands to open new border hats with India.
The DoNER Minister’s visit to Agartala assumes significance in the backdrop of Centre’s efforts to enable north east emerge as the growth region of the country.