Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three collaborative projects, a significant step towards enhancing cross-border trade facilitation and reducing travel time. The inauguration of these projects took place through virtual mode and marked a momentous occasion in India-Bangladesh relations.
The first project, the Agartala-Akhaura Cross Border Rail Link, is a pivotal 12.24-kilometer rail connection that spans 6.78 kilometers in Bangladesh and 5.46 kilometers in Tripura, with the potential to greatly stimulate cross-border trade and considerably shorten the travel duration between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the historic significance of this rail link, emphasizing that it represents the first rail connection between the northeastern region of India and Bangladesh.
In addition to the rail link, two other projects were inaugurated: the 65-kilometer Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit 2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant located in Bangladesh's Rampal. These three initiatives are part of India's assistance in supporting Bangladesh's development endeavors.
During the virtual interaction, Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight at the joint celebration of the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation and highlighted the tremendous progress achieved in the past nine years. He characterized this collaboration as unparalleled in decades.
Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, acknowledged the significance of these projects and their potential to further reinforce infrastructure development collaboration between the two countries. She expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Modi's warm hospitality during her visit to India in September for the G20 Summit.
For the Agartala-Akhaura Cross Border Rail Link project, India provided grant assistance of Rs 392.52 crore to Bangladesh, underscoring the depth of their cooperation.
The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line project involved the construction of a 65-kilometer broad gauge route, connecting Bangladesh's Mongla Port to the existing rail network in Khulna.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, generating 1,320 MW of electricity, was executed by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd., a joint venture with equal participation from India's NTPC and the Bangladesh Power Development Board. This power plant is situated in the Khulna division of Bangladesh, specifically in Rampal.
The inauguration of these projects represents a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between India and Bangladesh, fostering economic growth and strengthening the bilateral relationship.
