Boost To Rail Connectivity In India’s Northeast: Train Services Between Tripura And Bangladesh To Begin By 2020

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh on Thursday (12 September) said that rail services between Agartala in Tripura and Bangladesh will begin by 2020, reports Asian News International (ANI).

Singh made the announcement through his official Twitter handle after reviewing the progress on the project with the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Riva Ganguly Das.

“Big breakthrough for Northeast . Train to Bangladesh from Agartala in Tripura will start by 2020. Proximal part of rail track being funded by Ministry of Northeast. Progress of work reviewed along with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh,” Singh tweeted.

The 15-km long rail line, which is to start from Agartala and end at Akhaura railway station in Bangladesh, would connect West Bengal and Tripura via Bangladesh, and therefore bring down the time taken to travel from one Indian state to another significantly. The project cost has been estimated at Rs 972.52 crore.

The project, which is partly being funded by the Ministry for DoNER on Indian side and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Bangladeshi side, would boost trade and ease commuting, while also aiding economic development in the region, benefiting both India's Northeast and Bangladesh.

The project is also likely to give thrust to the tourism and cultural exchange between Bangladesh and India.