Indian ministry to push for Northeast-Bangladesh rail link

India’s Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has decided to help the Ministry of Railways to restore the region’s rail link with Bangladesh.

“My ministry will cooperate in setting up railway connectivity with Bangladesh,” said DoNER Minister General (retd) VK Singh here while divulging the first 100-day performance of his ministry.

Emphasising the importance of a proper connectivity with Bangladesh, Singh said that proper railways connectivity will be advantageous for both the countries.

“Earlier rail connectivity was there between Bangladesh and Tripura…now we have to restore it,” he said.

The minister also highlighted on the importance of building a 150-metre long bridge on the Feni river in southern Tripura to get access to the Chittagong port for carrying goods and heavy machinery for the land-locked northeastern states.

“There is greater cooperation with Bangladesh now. The understanding is if we improve the roads up to Chittagong we can use the port,” the minister said.

VK Singh

Manik Sarkar

During Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s last Dhaka visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responded positively to Sarkar’s demand of having the Feni bridge.

“Bangladesh has no problem if India constructs the bridge over Feni river at New Delhi’s costs,” Hasina had reportedly said.

In a recent meeting with the General Singh, Sarkar has also requested him to talk to Bangladesh government for restoring railway services from Agartala to Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh government may be pursued to take all necessary actions and railways ministry may take up this construction work (for restoration of rail link) with highest priority,” Sarkar had said.

He said for a rapid economic development of Tripura, movement of people and goods through Bangladesh to northeast and eastern India was necessary.