Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly opened the newly constructed Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Link Project, setting a significant milestone in cross-border connectivity.
The important rail connection would contribute to boosting trade, business and tourism between the two neighbouring countries.
The 12.24-km rail connection has linked Gangasagar Railway Station at Akhaura in Brahmanbaria to Nischintapur Railway Station at Agartala in India, connecting the northeastern region of India and Bangladesh.
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The railway link, with 6.78 km in Bangladesh’s part, was constructed under a joint venture of Bangladesh and India. The Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) railway line construction started in July 2018.
The two prime ministers unveiled the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, joining an event from Ganabhaban in Dhaka and New Delhi through a virtual platform.
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The two PMs also inaugurated two other Indian-aided projects --Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Construction Project and Unit-2 of Rampal Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat.
The 65-km railway from Khulna to Mongla port in Bagerhat would streamline goods transportation to the port. This railway will help transport Mongla port goods affordably within the country and support trade with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, contributing to regional economic growth. The Khulna-Mongla railway project began in September 2016.
The second unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant Rampal would add 660 megawatt electricity to the national grid.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC (Line of Credit) while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link with Indian grants.
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The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, known as Rampal thermal power plant, with a total capacity of 1,320 MW in two units was implemented under a joint venture of the two neighbouring countries.