Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently announced that all the old railway links between India and Bangladesh that had been closed after the 1965 war will be reopened.
While inaugurating the first intercity train between Dhaka and Kurigram on Wednesday, Hasina said that the old railway links will not only boost connectivity between the two countries but will also help in the development of the railway sector of Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh railway minister Mujibul Haque and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly das jointly laid the foundation stone for upgradation of the Haldibari- Chilahati railway track last month.
The Haldibari- Chilahati railway track was part of the broad gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri during the British undivided India.
Currently, here are 4 operational rail links between India and Bangladesh.
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Meanwhile, in order to boost further connectivity of the northeastern region of India with Bangladesh, the Assam government has recently moved the Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA) and NITI Aayog for reopening of old railway links from Assam to Bangladesh.
Also read: Assam government seeks reopening of old railway links with Bangladesh
The state government is seeking to reopen the old railway links from Chittagong to Makum, Cox Bazar to Ledo and the third line between Bangladesh via Golakganj till Moirabari.
Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary mentioned that the northeastern region of the country has been geographically isolated but it got a chance to redevelop itself after the Act East Policy came into force from 2014.
He also said that good infrastructure in terms of roads, railways and bridges can boost trade between India and Bangladesh and the northeastern region of India can play a huge role in it as it is abundant in natural resources.
It may be mentioned that in order to discuss about the development of trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, the India-Bangladesh Stakeholders’ Meet will be held in Guwahati on October 22 and 23 next.
However, hostilities in the Indo-Bangladesh frontier have seemingly dampened the spirits ahead of the two-day meeting.
Tension gripped both sides of the border after one Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and another injured due to firing by a Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) soldier.
The incident took place at Murshidabad in West Bengal on Thursday.
Thursday’s incident sparked tension even as BSF chief VK Johri called up BGB chief over for a detailed probe.
The sudden hostilities developed even as Assam is all decked up to host the India Bangladesh Stakeholders meeting from October 22.