India-Bangla rail connectivity may not take off

Agartala, Aug 21: The proposed rail connectivity between India and Bangladesh may not see the light of the day, said a top official of the North East Frontier (NF) Railway here today.

Speaking to UNI, the official said that inspite of relentless effort by the Centre, the Bangladeshi counterpart was not keen on the project proposed by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

''The survey for two phases inside the country had already been conducted by the NF officials for cargo services between the two countries and the feasibility report has been sent to the MEA,'' the officials added.

He further said the details of the survey work conducted in the 15-km long Agartala-Akhaura sector and the Agartala-Chittagong port sector via Sabroom in South Tripura had already been sent to the railway board.

''The board had informed the MEA about the details of the survey,'' said the official.

Another NF official added that the Centre is keen on the project but the neighbouring government is reluctant.

The seven km distance on the Agartala-Akhaura sector which falls on the Indian side would have cost Rs 35 crores and the 120 km distance on the Agartala-Chittagong port upto the Indian border at Sabroom would have cost Rs 525 crores, the official added.

UNI