The rail link was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on November 1, 2023.
Highlighting India’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and cultural ties with Bangladesh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi visited Tripura this week to inspect the progress of the Agartala-Akhaura international rail link project. This visit, part of her three-day tour, formed part of the government's regular assessment of regional progress and international collaboration.
 
MoS Lekhi articulated the essence of this development in a post on social media platform X on Thursday (January 4, 2023): "Visited the Agartala-Akhaura Rail link & Nishchintapura Railway station launched by Hon PM Shri @narendramodi ji & his Bangladeshi counterpart in Nov 2023 and had a fruitful discussion with officials of IRCON, Railways, and BSF."
 
The Agartala-Akhaura railway link, a project of immense strategic and economic importance, promises to revolutionize connectivity between India and Bangladesh. This rail link, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on November 1, 2023, was a major milestone in the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.
 
The project, spanning a total length of 12.24 kilometres, comprises 5.46 kilometres within Indian territory and 6.78 kilometres in Bangladesh.
 
The construction of the link’s Indian portion was implemented by the Ministry of Railways through Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) and funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).  Construction of the Bangladesh portion was implemented by Bangladesh Railways and funded by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
 
According to information provided by Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on December 7, 2023, the cost of the Indian portion is Rs. 580 crores as per initial sanction which was revised to Rs. 708.73 crores; the cost of the Bangladesh portion is Rs. 392.52 crore.  
 
This international rail link is designed to enhance trade and connectivity between the two countries, reducing the travel distance between Agartala, the capital of Tripura, and Kolkata significantly. Specifically, the rail link reduces the distance between Agartala and Kolkata from 1,600 kilometres to approximately 500 kilometres, significantly cutting down travel time and costs.
 
MoS Lekhi’s visit focused on furthering collaborative efforts and maintaining diplomacy to aid the successful completion of this connection.
 
The practical significance of this project for the land-locked state of Tripura is immense. Chief Minister Manik Saha, addressing the strategic importance of the Agartala-Akhaura rail link during the inauguration ceremony, explained the transformative impact on Tripura. The project, by facilitating easier and faster connectivity, is set to position Tripura as a central hub for tourism and transportation in the India-Bangladesh corridor.
 
This enhanced connectivity can boost economic activities, particularly in trade and tourism, and promote cultural exchanges, thereby elevating Tripura's role in regional development and international collaboration.
 
With the beginning of regular train services, Tripura will evolve into a pivotal transit point, facilitating seamless movement between the two neighbouring countries.
 
The project faced delays due to land acquisition challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the combined efforts of both Indian and Bangladeshi authorities, this ambitious project is now reaching fruition.
 
MoS Lekhi's tour serves as a crucial juncture in the development of the Agartala-Akhaura rail project and further solidifies the long-established and meaningful relationship between India and Bangladesh. As the project nears completion, it symbolizes a new horizon in regional connectivity, economic development, and cultural exchange, further cementing the bond between the two nations.