PM Modi-Sheikh Hasina inaugurated three development projects, cross-border rail line also included

By Cross Talk India Team On Nov 1, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three development projects through video conferencing. All three projects have been implemented with Indian assistance. These include the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit-3 of Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant project. The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link Project has been implemented under a grant-in-aid of Rs 392.52 crore given by the Government of India to Bangladesh. The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with 6.78 km dual gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura, the PMO statement said. The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line project has been financed by US$ 38.83 crore under the concessional credit facility of the Government of India. The total project cost is prepared in dollars. The project involves construction of about 65 km of broad gauge rail route between Mongla Port and the existing rail network at Khulna. With this, Bangladesh’s second largest port Mongla has been connected to the broad-gauge railway network.

The 15 km long Agartala-Akhaura cross border rail link (5 km in India and 10 km in Bangladesh) will boost cross-border trade and reduce commuting time from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka.