Sheikh Hasina, Modi jointly open three projects

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi Wednesday (November 1) jointly inaugurated the 12.24 km Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, hoping to foster possibilities in trade, business, tourism and people to people contact.

The two leaders jointly opened the rail link unveiling the inaugural plaque by pressing button through video conferencing, from Dhaka and New Delhi.

At the same programme, they also jointly inaugurated India-assisted two more development projects, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line; and Unit - II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.

Although the Khulna-Mongla railway line was inaugurated today, it has not yet been decided when commercial trains will start running on this route.

Md. Arifuzzaman, the director of the Khulna-Mongla railway project said that the decision will be made later regarding the schedule of passenger and goods trains on this route.

Akhaura-Agartala Railway Project Director Abu Zafar Mia said that cargo trains will run on this route first and passenger trains will run later. Already, after the construction of the railways, the trial run of train has been completed on the tracks.

Sources said that the construction work of the approximately 64.7km rail line was completed at a cost of Tk 4,260.88 crore.