Tripura’s connectivity projects with Bangladesh, including the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and the Maitree Bridge, may face delays due to political upheaval and a change in government in Bangladesh, according to state Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
Following widespread protests against the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which resulted in its fall on August 5, an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has taken over in Bangladesh. Chowdhury expressed uncertainty about the start dates for these nearly completed projects.
“All the connectivity projects with Bangladesh… We are not sure when these projects which were almost completed will see the light of the day. The Agartala-Chittagong flight was to be started soon, but it has become uncertain now. The same is the condition of the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Maitree Bridge, etc. Let us wait and watch,” the Tripura Transport minister said.
Agartala-Akhaura rail link
The Agartala-Akhaura rail link, spanning 12.24 km and costing Rs 972.52 crore, is designed to enhance trade between India’s North-East and Bangladesh. The Indian side of the 5.46 km track has been completed, while 98% of the 6.78 km track in Bangladesh is also finished.
Despite this, the project’s timeline may be affected by the current political situation in Bangladesh. A Railway Ministry official noted that the Indian side’s work was funded by the Ministry of DoNER, while the Bangladeshi side was funded by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and implemented by Bangladesh Railway.
The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on November 1 of the previous year.
Maitree Bridge
The Maitree Bridge was inaugurated earlier, and movements of passenger and goods-laden trucks were expected to begin soon. However, with the recent political instability, the timeline for these activities remains uncertain.
Representatives from Tripura’s chamber of commerce and academic circles emphasize that trade should not be entangled with political issues, as international trade benefits both countries.
Prof Asish Nath of the Department of Economic, Tripura University said, “We should not always mix up internal politics with trade because it is beneficial for both countries. Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and the country witnessed unprecedented violence, but trade resumed on Thursday through land ports”.
India-Bangladesh trade
Nitai Saha, President of the Export-Import Chamber of Commerce in Tripura, acknowledged a temporary reduction in trade volume but expressed confidence that full trade operations and connectivity projects will resume soon.
Tripura shares an 856 km border with Bangladesh, and on average, 300-400 goods-laden trucks cross these trading points daily. Khokan Bhowmick, President of the Agartala Export Sangha, added, “Trade benefits both governments and people. Traders will likely advocate for the normalization of import-export activities.”
According to the Tripura government’s Industry and Commerce Department, trade between Tripura and Bangladesh has grown significantly from Rs 230.24 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 715.98 crore in 2023-24.
(Witn inputs from PTI)