How new train via Dhaka will cut the Agartala-Kolkata journey from 31 to 10 hours

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is big on infrastructure. The latest development project aims to improve connectivity on the Indo-Bangla international train route. Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday jointly inaugurated three projects – the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line, and Unit 2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh’s Rampal — via video conferencing.

“It is a matter of happiness that we have come together to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation. Our relations are touching new heights,” said PM Modi said in an interaction with Hasina. The inaugural ceremony was also joined by Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.

“Today, the inauguration of the Akhaura-Agartala rail link is a historic moment… This is the first rail link between Bangladesh and the North Eastern states of India… Tripura has had a strong bond with Bangladesh since the days of its Liberation struggle,” he added.

Our partnership with Bangladesh is a key aspect of our Neighbourhood First policy and we are dedicated to further strengthen it. https://t.co/hijUSCT0ld

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2023

What is the rail link hailed by PM Modi? And how will it benefit the two nations? We explain

What we know about the rail project

The railway link is 12.24 km including a 5.46 km dual gauge line on the Indian side and 6.7 km in Bangladesh. It connects Bangladesh’s Akhuara in the Brahmanbaria district through an international immigration station at Nischintapur on the outskirts of Agartala, which is India’s last railway station along the Indo-Bangla border.

During the British colonial era, Akhaura was the railway link for Agartala.

Sanctioned during the year 2012-13, the foundation stone for the Agartala-Akhaura rail link was laid in July 2016. It comprises a major bridge and three minor ones.