Big Push For North-East Connectivity: Flagship India-Bangladesh Rail Link Set To Be Completed By 2021

In a massive infrastructure and connectivity boost for northeastern region of India, the ongoing construction of the flagship rail link between Agartala in India and Bangladesh's Akhaura is set to be completed by the end of the year 2021, reports The Hindu.

The development was made public by Union Minister for Development of North-East Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh on Sunday (9 February), who also shared that the first ever train on the rail line would be run on the eve of the 75th anniversary of India's Independence from the usurious British Raj in 2022.

The project is being spearheaded by the dedicated Department of North Eastern Region (DoNER) which is headed by Singh. It is bearing the costs of construction for 5.6 kilometre segment of the track on the Indian side. Meanwhile, the cost of laying the rails on the 10.6 kilometre section of the track on the Bangladeshi lands is being borne by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The Government has already bought the land required for the implementation of the project. The same has been handed over to the agencies executing the project in both the nations. As many as 600 workers are working round the clock for ensuring a timely completion of the crucial project.