All very interesting but like so much local journalism, devoid of any kind of accountability or probity. So here are some questions to help these reporters understand their jobs:
* what is the construction cost?
* how are these costs being funded and shared?
* what income benefit do we get from our agreement?
* what are the security arrangements to ensure that the already steady flow of Indian goods illegally into the country will not increase threatening local industry and jobs?
* do we have any agreements on borders and water sharing to show for our participation?
* how much local labour will be used vs Indian?
And of course they key question: will Khasia tribesmen now use the road and rail to start farming land on the outskirts of Dhaka under BSF escort of course?
Defender of people's right to know.....
Joy Bangla!
Emanur Rahman | m. +447734567561 | e. emanur@rahman.com
The plans for building infrastructure include dredging the river from Kolkata to the Ashuganj river port, constructing a 40-kilometre road from Ashuganj to Akhaura and completing the proposed Akhaura-Agartala railway link, said the official. 'India side has been pursuing Bangladesh for about six months to expedite the process,' said the official.
It was a follow-up meeting held in response to India's request to implement the agreements reached during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi in January this year. The two sides agreed to declare Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India ports of call. Bangladesh will allow India to use Mongla and Chittagong seaports and also use the road and railway networks for movement of goods.
During foreign affairs minister Dipu Moni's visit to Delhi in September 2009, Bangladesh agreed to designate the Ashuganj river port as a new port of call to facilitate the transport of the Over-Dimensional Cargo for the Palatana Power Project in Tripura in India, according to the joint press statement issued by the two sides.
The shipping minister, Shahjahan Khan, told reporters after the meeting that India would provide grants for the construction work in its own interest. Khan said that India was going to set up a power plant in Tripura and that would have to transport a lot of over-sized building materials. India will have to use the Ashuganj port to carry the Over Dimensional Cargos (ODCs) from Kolkata to Tripura, according to bdnews24.com.
The company that won the tender to construct the power station will also build the 40-kilometre road, Khan added.They also discussed the setting up a new landing station and a container jetty in Bangladesh.The shipping ministry's secretary, Abdul Mannan, and some senior government officials were also present at the meeting.
http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=326577