STATE : Tripura’s name will be inscribed in a new chapter in the history of connection with the establishment of an International railway link. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the Akhaura-Agartala Cross Border Rail Link on Wednesday.
Both Prime Ministers virtually inaugurated two more projects. These two projects sponsored by India are – The Khulna-Mongla Port rail line and Unit II of the Maitree Thermal Power Plant.
With the inauguration of three projects, including the Akhaura-Agartala rail line, the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh has touched new heights. It is indeed a matter of delight that we are together celebrating this success, stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi today after virtually inaugurating the cross-border rail link.
The virtual inauguration program was attended by the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Baishnav, Union External Affairs Minister Jai Shankar, and top officials of Indian and Bangladesh railways. The virtual program at the secretariat of Agartala was attended by the chief minister, Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, secretary to the CM, Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, and other high officials.
The Prime Minister said India and Bangladesh have shared a close relationship since the time of the Bangladesh liberation war. During the last nine years, the internal trade in both countries has also tripled in volume.
During the last nine years, three new bus services have been launched to connect Dhaka, Shillong, Agartala, Guwahati, and Kolkata. With the inauguration of the Akhaura-Agartala rail link connectivity will also be developed with Kolkata via Dhaka, PM Modi added.
In addition, the Northeast region of India has been connected with Chittagong and Mongla ports during the last nine years. During the last nine years, the Government of India has opened four new Integrated Check Posts on the Indo-Bangla border, which boosted economic development in both countries. During the same time, three new train services have been launched between India and Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister said the Government of India will always stand by Bangladesh to build the ‘Sonar Bangla’ of Bangabandhu.
Addressing the inaugural program of the Akhaura-Agartala rail line, the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said that they are committed to having a consolidated relation between India and Bangladesh.
There is an emotional connection between Tripura and Bangladesh due to shared culture. The way the people of Tripura lent their support during the Bangladesh liberation war can never be forgotten. The history should be upheld to the next generation of Bangladesh as well, Sheikh Hasina said in an interaction with Narendra Modi over video-conferencing.