Prime Minister of Bharat Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the Akhaura – Agartala international rail line on November 1. This 12.24 km railway (5.46 km in India, 6.78 km in Bangladesh) connects Akhaura in Bangladesh to Nischintapur, serving as an immigration station for passenger and goods interchange.
PM Modi highlighted the significance of this rail link, marking a milestone in India-Bangladesh cooperation. It will enhance tourism and economic development in the Northeast.
The new rail project will provide a great boost to people to people contact between the two countries apart from increasing trade and commerce. Once fully operational, this new rail line will help grow small scale industries in the border areas and boost tourism of the two countries particularly in Tripura. It will also help in export and import of commodities faster and help the local producers to export their products outside the country faster. Goods carrying trains from various parts of India can reach NE region via Bangladesh with much lesser transportation cost. Also, the travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka will get reduced significantly.
Indian Railways is actively implementing projects in line with the ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Neighborhood First Policy’, with the Akhaura – Agartala rail line being a crucial one.
This project will strengthen people-to-people connections, trade, and commerce between the two countries. It will spur small-scale industries and tourism, particularly in Tripura, and facilitate faster export-import activities.
Nischintapur station in Tripura, a part of this project, is now a Land Customs Station, equipped to handle international travelers and freight cargos. It will also serve security and document checks.
Moreover, Nischintapur railway station in Tripura which has been developed as a part of the ambitious Akhaura – Agartala international rail link project has been identified as Land Customs Station (LCS). A passenger and cargo terminal have been constructed to facilitate international travellers and freight cargos. The station yard, equipped with modern amenities will serve the purpose of Indo–Bangladesh trade along with a transshipment facility of goods and passengers. Further, the station yard will be used for security purposes and document checking of passengers to and from Bangladesh.
Tripura CM Manik Saha expressed gratitude to PM Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina for inaugurating three Indian-assisted projects, including the Akhaura – Agartala rail link, Khulna – Mongla Port Rail Line, and Unit II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bangladesh. He believes these projects will further enhance trade and boost the state’s economy.
