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Indo-Bangla Bridge over river Feni : Plans delaying, no sign of progress
TIWN
Indo-Bangla Bridge over river Feni : Plans delaying, no sign of progress
PHOTO : Proposed location of Feni River bridge in Sabroom. TIWN Photo

Sabroom, Sept 10 (TIWN): Proposed Bridge over river Feni between Tripura and Chittagong is delaying, plan was to make South Tripura to become trading hub of two countres one day.But till today no such construction work has taken up. In a first step towards making Tripura the gateway of NE India. initiated with one small step. it'll surely add special value in the cultural and exchange efforts between Tripura and Bangladesh (specially CHITAGANG). The proposed bridge will connect Southern Tripura's border town Sabroom,135 km south of Agartala,with the Bangladeshi border town Ramgarh,300 km Northest of Dhaka.

The Bridge over Feni is delaying :  Agartala is 1650 km from Kolkata via Guwahati.but the distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh is just about 350 km.  

To construct the bridge at par with international standards, the centre would provide required funds from the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme.After Bangladesh government’s approval to India to build the all-important bridge, Tripura Government already sent  the detailed project report (DPR) for the 150-metre-long bridge and other necessary facilities.The proposed bridge would connect Sabroom town of southern Tripura with Ramgarh town of southeastern Bangladesh. Besides construction of the bridge, various others tourism- related amenities and infrastructure would also be constructed in and around the area, 135 km south of Tripura capital Agartala.The transit between northeast India and rest of the country and abroad via Bangladesh is likely to become a reality in near future.

Keeping in mind of the future need, Tripura Government has decided to construct a four-lane bridge over the river Feni in Sabroom subdivision, official sources said. Not only the bridge over the river Feni, the Government had also planned to construct four-lane approach roads for both sides to ensure better traffic system. Officials of IL&FS conducted video project presentation in which they showed technical aspects, the place (Anandapara), location of Sabroom LCS and approach road for the bridge. It was decided in the meeting that the bridge connecting Ramgarh (Bangladesh) and Sabroom will be four-lane. Even the approach roads will also be four-lane keeping in mind of its future requirement. Besides, footpath will have 2 meters on both sides of the approach roads. An amount of Rs 73 crore will be earmarked for constructing the bridge.

It was decided in the meeting that the bridge connecting Ramgarh (Bangladesh) and Sabroom will be four-lane. Even the approach roads will also be four-lane keeping in mind of its future requirement. Besides, footpath will have 2 meters on both sides of the approach roads. An amount of Rs 73 crore will be earmarked for constructing the bridge.

Tripura had been demanding for a bridge over the river Feni for long time. Of late, a decision to construct a bridge over the river Feni was taken at the highest political level of both countries.

If the bridge is constructed, not only Tripura the entire NE region will be beneficial by way of using Chittagong Port in Bangladesh because it is only 72 km away from Sabroom town.

Meanwhile, if everything goes in right direction, the Sabroom LCS will be functional by next month. As per the plan drawn by the higher ups, initially the bilateral trade will begin through Dashimighat after long 20 years wait.

Not only traders, people from both sides want the suspended bilateral trade to resume trough Sabroom-Ramgarh LCSs at the earliest. Sources from across the border side, necessary facilities have been created at Ramgarh LCS. More so, some businessmen have already got licenses to resume their business with Sabroom.

It may be mentioned that during a visit to Dhaka in January 2010, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar took up the matter with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that they wanted to build a bridge over the river Feni as the business community of the Indian north-eastern region wanted to use the Chittagong seaport.

Sheikh Hasina had agreed to the proposal but made it clear that India would bear all expenses for construction of the bridge, the sources said.

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