Tripura proposed to get linkage in Asia-Europe railway project

Agartala, May 9 (UNI) With the positive attitude of Bangladesh authorities, Tripura is believed to get sustainable surface communication linkage with other countries under Asia-Europe railway project.

Official sources here today said United Nations Organisation (UNO) had initiated the project few years back for laying up railway lines between Asia and Europe but Bangladesh was not agreed then with the proposal, which had halted the process.

''The proposed rail lines will be laid from SriLanka via India-Pakistan-Iran and few other destinations of Asia and finally it will reach upto European nations. It will also touch Thailand and China,'' the officials stated.

Keeping eyes on trade and economic development of Asian countries and to establish a trade relations between Asia and Europe, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific of UNO had proposed the project.

They stated that except Bangladesh all other countries including Sri-Lanka, China, Pakistan, Thailand and Iran had signed the treaty for the project while India had cleared it at the early stage.

India suggested three alternative routes for the project but no one has yet been finalised due to uncertainty over the Bangladesh's attitude, officials said adding that only last week care-taker government in Bangladesh has approved the project.

According to proposal of Indian authorities, first route can be run from Gede of West Bengal to Rohanpur and Chittagong of Bangladesh and Takenhalf to Myanmar, Thailand and China. Second route was proposed from Singbad of West Bengal to Rajshahi, Dhaka, Brahamanbaria and Akhura of Bangladesh to Tripura, Asom, Mizoram of Northeast India to Myanmar, Thailand and China while third route was suggested from Radhikapur of Bangladesh to Dinajpur, Sillet, Kulaura and Sahabajpur of Bangladesh to Asom, Tripura and Mizoram of northeast to Myanmar, Thailand and China.

UNI