[ALOCHONA] Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link: India announces take-up connectivity project

Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link: India announces take-up connectivity project

India yesterday announced taking up the rail connectivity project linking Agartala, capital of the northeastern state of Tripura, with Akhaura in Bangladesh in a bid to improve ties between the two countries.

The proposal to take up the Agartala-Akhaura rail line project, envisaged in the joint communiqué during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Delhi in January, 2010, was made by Indian Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi.
Presenting his ministry's budget in Parliament yesterday, he said, "To have cordial and improved relations with the neighbouring countries, Indian Railways takes up projects to provide rail connectivity to such countries.
"This year, it is proposed to take up a project to connect Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh."

This will also help establish connectivity with inaccessible areas in the northeast as the journey from Kolkata to Tripura via Bangladesh will result in significant savings in time and distance travelled, he added.

Agartala is 1,650km from Kolkata and 2,637km from New Delhi via Guwahati, capital of Assam state, and West Bengal, whereas the distance between the Tripura capital and Kolkata through Bangladesh is just about 350 km.

Under the railway budget proposal this year, India will build a 15km railway track linking Agartala with Akhaura, which is also an important railway junction connected with Chittagong port, Sylhet and Dhaka.Trivedi, in his budget, did not mention how much money would be earmarked for Agartala-Akhaura link but the total cost of the proposed project is estimated at Rs 252 crore.

"The Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON) would lay the new railway tracks on both sides of the border," Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) Arvind Sewary had told reporters recently.

The project is expected to be completed by 2014.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=226395
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India prioritises to implement all deals, says new envoy 

India attaches top priority to successfully implement all the agreements and MoUs signed between the two countries, Pankaj Saran, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, said yesterday.

"I am specially assigned here to work on rapid implementation of all agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between India and Bangladesh," he said while presenting his credentials to President Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban.

During the meeting, Pankaj said the Indian government has been working with Bangladesh giving top priority to Teesta water sharing issue, and expressed his hope that it would be resolved as soon as possible. "My first job is to make the relationships deeper and stronger between the two countries," he said adding that the two countries are enjoying excellent relations.

The envoy said the Indian government has expressed keenness to open more border haats (markets) between the two countries in the days to come. "The people of the two countries have been enjoying an excellent trading atmosphere at the border haats being operated in Kurigram district," he added.

Describing Bangladesh as a potential country, Pankaj said it has been achieving economic progress tremendously and would soon turn into a developed nation.Welcoming the high commissioner to Bangabhaban, President Zillur Rahman said India is the friendliest country of Bangladesh. He also recalled the contributions of India during the country's Liberation War.The president thanked the government and people of India for their support and cooperation to Bangladesh.Zillur Rahman also assured his all-out support and cooperation to the Indian envoy in discharging his responsibilities in Bangladesh.

Earlier, the high commissioner was given a guard of honour by the President's Guard Regiment on Bangabhaban premises.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=226361

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