: The use of Ashuganj river port in Bangladesh as a port of call for transhipment facilities of Northeastern States may become a possibility after a senior Bangladesh minister visited Agartala on Sunday. Communications Minister Obaidul Kader held discussions with Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey and officials over the development of 51-km road connecting Agartala with Ashuganj.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran who accompanied Mr Kader was present in the discussions. Export-import trade through Agartala-Akhaura border is hugely affected due to poor condition of roads mainly on the Bangladesh side. Bridges and culverts are narrow and too old.
Tripura transport officials said issues relating to condition of road and bridges, infrastructure development and funding were discussed in a meeting with Bangladesh minister.
They said government of India has already given an assurance to provide a hefty fund to the tune of Rs. 1,560 crore for development of the 51-km road.
India has long been demanding complete port of call facility at Ashuganj port and Chittagong sea port close to Sabroom in southern district of Tripura.
Officials named Ashuganj as a possibility in near future.
