Now Reading: Bangladesh turmoil may delay Tripura connectivity projects
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Bangladesh turmoil may delay Tripura connectivity projects
Political turmoil and a change of government in Bangladesh may delay the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Maitree bridge operations and a planned Agartala-Chittagong flight, Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said. The Hindu reports…
The Story in Brief
Political turmoil and a change of government in Bangladesh may delay the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Maitree bridge operations and a planned Agartala-Chittagong flight, Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said. The Hindu reports that 98% of the Bangladesh-side rail work is complete, while the 5.46-km Indian section has been finished. The 12.24-km link costs Rs 972.52 crore and was inaugurated by India and Bangladesh in November 2023.
The Maitree bridge has already been inaugurated, but passenger and goods truck movement has not begun. Trade through land ports resumed within days of the political change, according to Tripura trade representatives. Bilateral trade rose from Rs 230.24 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 715.98 crore in 2023-24. Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that political change has ended India-Bangladesh trade are premature, while assurances that every project will open soon also lack a firm timetable. Land-port trade resumed within days, but construction completion does not automatically ensure security clearances, operational agreements or regular services. The practical test is whether the rail link and Maitree bridge begin scheduled movement, and whether daily truck volumes return towards the usual 300 to 400.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
