The much-awaited Indo-Bangla railway connectivity project, which will reduce travel time from Agartala-Kolkata via Dhaka from 31 hours to 10 hours, is set to be launched in September. The project has seen completion of 85 percent of construction work in India and 73 percent in Bangladesh. The two countries will be connected through Agartala on the Indian side and Akhaura on the Bangladesh side via Tripura.
The project was originally scheduled to be completed by December 2020, but was delayed due to land acquisition issues, etc. Once operational, the route will effectively reduce the distance from the existing 1,600 km to 550 km, resulting in a significant reduction in travel time. The project is expected to boost trade and tourism between the two neighbouring countries.
The project has been closely monitored by the governments of both countries, as it holds strategic importance for strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating trade. The new rail link is expected to provide a major boost to the economies of the region by reducing transportation costs and improving connectivity. The successful completion of the project will mark a significant milestone in the history of Indo-Bangla relations.
