New Rail Link : Bringing Northeast Closer, India and Bangladesh Connect

01 NOV, (VNI) :  In a historic milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted development projects today via video conferencing. This event marks a significant step forward in the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Bangladesh and India have recently inaugurated a rail connection through Tripura in the northeastern region, bridging a gap that lasted over seven decades. The Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link promises to significantly slash travel durations between, for instance, Kolkata and Agartala, while concurrently bolstering trade.
Here's a concise overview of the rail link:
Traditionally, the journey from Kolkata to Agartala, the capital of Tripura, involved a protracted and circuitous path, passing through northern West Bengal to reach Guwahati in Assam. From there, the route veered southward towards Tripura, amounting to an approximately 38-hour travel duration.
However, with the implementation of the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, trains can now traverse from Kolkata to Agartala through Bangladesh. The neighboring nation strategically situates itself amidst the landmass that spans India's northeastern region and the rest of the country, with connectivity facilitated by a narrow corridor in Bengal's Siliguri, colloquially referred to as the "Chicken's Neck."
This development will truncate the travel time to a mere 12 hours, down from the previous, much lengthier 38-hour timeframe. It is anticipated that this reduction will lead to a substantial surge in passenger traffic. Those who previously shied away from this route due to its considerable distance will now find the new option significantly more practical and convenient.
This enhancement won't only benefit passengers but also catalyze economic growth in the region. Trains will be capable of transporting significantly larger and bulkier cargoes in substantial quantities.
The rail link spans a distance of 12.24 km, with a dual gauge rail line extending 6.78 km in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura.