AGARTALA / KAILASAHAR, July 17 (TIWN): The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has intensified trading with neighboring counterpart Bangladesh by setting up as many as border haats along the Indo-Bangla border. The construction of fifth such facility is in pipeline to be set up at Kailasahar, Unakoti District of Tripura with an aim to boost the bi-lateral trade.Amongst the two more another border haats, one would be opened up soon at Kailasahar Hiracherra. The central government had recently green signaled following which DM (Unakoti) Mrinal Kanti Nath would send the survey report soon, said official.After Srinagar and Kamalsagar, the third border haat in Tripura would be set and prior to kick off the construction work, an administrative level meeting would be held with Bangladesh counterpart followed by the survey report.The official said that the survey report would comprise of objections and no objections by the locals at Kalisahar Hiracherra and would also include land assessment.After the Bangladesh Government had agreed to set up these two haats, the state industry department had moved forward to bring everything in right track.“We have also formed haat management committee and are now looking forward to conduct joint management committee meeting with Bangladesh which would be the preliminary step towards setting up the haat,” official said.

Earlier the Tripura government had proposed for 8 border haats but the central government had approved 4 haats in Tripura bordering Bangladesh. The two had started operation and the rest two would come up soon amongst which the third is in pipeline.

The official said to TIWN on Thursday, “After setting up the rest two we will send another proposal to central government to give a nod to another 4 keeping in view the demand of haat along the bordering areas.”

Official said the main objective to set up the border haat here in the land-locked state is only to cater needs of the rural people towards developing socio-economic infrastructure of the state.

"Border haats cater to the masses on both sides of the border and help people to sell products presuming that there is no border. The state government on the basis of the response is keen to increase the number. Response of Bangladesh is very positive and they are keen to open the border haats," said official.

The official further added that establishment of border markets has become all the more necessary after border fences came up between the two neighbours, practically ending the flourishing illegal trade.

A proposal to set up the border markets or 'haats' in local language was a part of the Joint Declaration signed by India and Bangladesh during Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina's visit to Delhi in January 2010.