Work for proposed second Indo-Bangla rail link in Tripura to begin shortly: Minister Sushanta Chowdhury
Apr 21, 2023After the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project the proposed second rail link connecting Bangladesh from Belonia to the zero-point in Feni in Tripura will enhance the ties with Bangladesh, said state transport and tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Friday.
Addressing a press conference here at the civil secretariat on Friday, the minister said that he met with the Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw at Delhi on April 19 last. He said, “Soon after the completion of the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project, the IRCON which is presently working on it will start the construction work for the second Indo-Bangla rail connectivity project.”
“The second rail link will be from Belonia to the zero-point at Feni to connect with Bangladesh. This rail link project will further boost the state’s connectivity and ties with the neighbouring Bangladesh,” he told reporters.
He said, “The work on Agartala-Akhaura rail link project is on the verge of completion with 85 per cent work is completed from the Indian side while 73 per cent work is completed from the Bangladesh side. It is expected that the international rail link will be commissioned by September this year.”
He said, “In view of the proposal made by the Tripura government to the Centre regarding declaration of Agartala rail station as international rail station in Tripura, the Union Minister said that he will lay the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Agartala rail station into international standard.” Work on installation of escalators at Agartala and Dharmanagar rail station is currently in progress as part of modernization of the Agartala rail station, he said.
“During the course of discussion with the Union Minister in Delhi, a proposal has been placed for construction of railway good yards at Agartala, Sekerkote, Bishalgarh and Bishramganj rail station to enhance the export and import of goods,” he said, adding that construction of railyard in Sabroom is on the verge of completion.
He said, “The Tripura government has also proposed for conversion of single lane railway track into double lane from Lumding to Sabroom, which perhaps will touch the entire state and open a new corridor for the state in terms of export-import business.”
The Minister informed that the survey for the proposed Rs. 1855 Crore project of Pecharthal-Dharmanagar-Kailasahar rail link is on the verge of completion.
In view of the demand and proposals of the Tripura government made during the course of interaction, the Union Minister had passed necessary instructions to the concerned officials to expedite the ongoing works on the rail project in Tripura and also the Union Minister agreed with the rest of the proposals of the state.
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