Bangladesh turmoil may delay Tripura rail link and bridge

Tripura's connectivity projects with Bangladesh, including the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and the Maitree bridge, face possible delays because of the political turmoil and change of government in Bangladesh, State Transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury said.

Chowdhury told PTI that most of the projects were almost complete but it was now uncertain when they would start. The Agartala-Chittagong flight, the 12.24 km rail link built at Rs 972.52 crore, and the Maitree bridge are all affected. IRCON confirmed the Indian side of the rail track is finished, and a Railway Ministry official said 98 per cent of the Bangladesh side is done, but the new interim government under Muhammad Yunus has stalled the launch.

However, Tripura academics and trade bodies argue that trade and politics should not be mixed. Professor Asish Nath noted that cross-border trade resumed through land ports within days of Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Nitai Saha of the Export-Import Chamber of Commerce said trade volume has reduced but expressed confidence it will soon restart fully. The Agartala Export Sangha expects traders will push the new government to normalise business. Bilateral trade between Tripura and Bangladesh grew from Rs 230.24 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 715.98 crore in 2023-24.