A step forward for Indo-Bangla ties

Land acquisition for construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge begins

Making the way: A file photo of personnel of Tripura Rifles escorting a Dhaka-bound passenger bus in Agartala.

The Tripura government has commenced the land acquisition process for the construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge over river Feni that demarcates boundaries between the two countries in south Tripura. The process for acquiring land for a four-lane approach road and a connecting road on Indian side in southern Tripura has also begun.

Government of India is bearing theentire burden of expenditure towards the construction of the 150-metre bridge which will connect Sabroom of India and Ramgarh in Bangladesh.

Rehabilitation package is ready to compensate people who would be dislodged for construction purposes, an official of state PWD told

The Hindu on Saturday.

“Land is required for the bridge, approach road and connecting road. Acquisition work started yesterday”, the official added.

Port of call

The bridge would facilitate implementation of a protocol India earlier signed with Bangladesh to use Chittagong sea port as a ‘port of call’. The port is 72 kilometre away from Sabroom.

India is also expanding rail network up to Sabroom to handle cargo consignments that would arrivefrom Chittagong port. Ultimate connectivity plan is to benefit Tripura and other landlocked northeastern States with international and domestic shipments using the sea port.