SABROOM, Oct 27 (TIWN): Proposed Bridge over river Feni between Tripura and Chittagong is delaying. After the Teesta agreement fell through, Bangladesh backed out and so no such construction work has taken up. 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. With the Land Boundary Agreement wrapped up, India and Bangladesh can look forward to boosting their trade and connectivity with the inking of milestone accords on coastal shipping and the opening up of Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh to bilateral commerce. On June 6, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka, India and Bangladesh inked the agreement on Coastal Shipping for two-way trade through ports; renewed the 1972 Protocol on Inland Waterways Transit and Trade (PIWTT) for using their waterways for commerce; and signed an MoU for use of Chittagong and Mongla Ports for movement of goods to and from India. The agreements will help to greatly reduce not only the time in shipping goods but also costs, besides making optimum use of the ports, inland waterways and roads.

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. 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.

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.