Trial run planned on India, BD rail link
NEW DELHI : India and Bangladesh are expected to hold a trial locomotive run on the Akhaura-Agartala railway line and push the operationalization of the crucial link between the two countries. Reports have indicated that both sides hope to operationalize the line by the end of this year. Tripura’s transport Mminister Sushanta Chowdhury stated in April that both sides would like to have the link operational by September this year.
He was quoted saying 85% of the work on the Indian side and 73% on Bangladesh’s side had been completed. The railway line, which would link Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala in India, is expected to slash travel time. This comes as part of a larger focus on connectivity in the bilateral relationship as both sides hope to improve cross border trade.
The two countries have focused on reviving rail links that existed between them prior to the 1965 India-Pakistan war. “As of now, five BG (broad gauge) connectivity are operational, namely Gede-Darshana, Benapole-Petrapole, Singhabad-Rohanpur, Radhikapur-Birol and Haldibari-Chilahati," said railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in May. The Haldibari-Chilahati route, which became operational in 2021, was the latest of the pre-1965 routes to be operationalized.
“Work on two more cross border rail connectivities, Akhaura-Agartala and Mahihasan-Shahbazpur is progressing well and is likely to be completed and commissioned shortly," Vaishnaw said. These lines, especially the Agartala-Akhaura line, are expected to spur trade and improve livelihoods for border communities. Both sides are also discussing proposals to extend rail connectivity for Bangladesh to Bhutan, using India’s railway lines.“India has also been providing free transit to Bangladesh for
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