'Maitri Setu Between India And Bangladesh Set To Be Operational After Elections': Tripura CM Manik Saha

Maitri Setu connecting India and Bangladesh through a rail link over the Feni river is set to be operational soon, as per Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha quoted by The Hindu.

The bridge between South Tripura's Sabroom and Bangladesh's Ramgarh was inaugurated in March 2021, followed by the inauguration of the Agartala- Nischintapur (Indian part of Agartala-Akhaura rail link) part in November 2023.

However, both these connectivity facilities are not operational yet and Saha pins hope for their commissioning on the third term of the Narendra Modi government soon after the elections.

"Under the leadership of PM Modi, who has always emphasised the Act East Policy and provided us with the HIRA (highway, i-way, railway, airway) model, the Maitri Setu will become operational soon", Saha said on Friday (17 May).

"The trial in Agartala-Akhaura railway link has already been completed, and it will also be made operational soon. The future of Tripura is bright. After the rail connectivity is established, we will be able to reach Kolkata in a short period," he added.

"The construction work in the Agartala-Akhaura railway project has almost been completed. Now, the train service will be made operational after discussion between both sides," Railway Board's member Anil Kumar Khandelwal said.

The manager of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), Agartala, Debasish Nandi expressed readiness to open the Maitri Setu by introducing passenger movement in the first phase.

"All necessary facilities including immigration have been put in place at Sabroom Land Custom Station (LCS). The goods movement can be flagged off later. The final date of the beginning of passenger movement will be taken by Delhi and Dhaka," he said.