'Many infrastructures in Tripura to boost trade with B'desh'

Agartala, Jan 26 (IANS) Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais on Tuesday said that several infrastructural projects are under construction in the state along the international border to boost the trade between India and Bangladesh.

After unfurling the national flag, the Governor while addressing the gathering at the Assam Rifles ground here said that a Special Economic Zone is being set up in Sabroom along Bangladesh border and that would provide favourable infrastructure to the investors to further boost the trade with the neighbouring country.

"To get access to the Chittagong international sea port in Bangladesh, a bridge over the river Feni is nearing completion and it would facilitate to increase the trade and commerce with the adjoining country. The Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail link is under construction to facilitate transportation of goods between the two countries and the rail project expected to be completed by March this year," the governor said.

He said that in addition to the existing Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Agartala along the Bangladesh border, two more ICPs are proposed to be set up at Nischintapur of Agartala-Akhaura rail link and in Sabroom in southern Tripura.

Besides two existing "Border Haats" at Kamalasagar in Sipahijala district and Srinagar in Sabroom, two new such border markets are being set up at Dharmanagar in North Tripura district and Kamalpur in Dhalai district.

He said that Tripura joined the map of Inland Water Transport with the opening of the floating jetty in September last year at the Srimantapur terminal in Sonamura along Bangladesh.

The Governor said that the central government after signing an agreement on January 16 last year in New Delhi had given a package of Rs 600 crore to rehabilitate the 34,000 Reang tribal refugees, fled from neighbouring Mizoram, in Tripura.

The Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervour across Tripura on Tuesday with the Governor taking the salute of the combined contingents of the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and Tripura Police who took part in the march past.Folk artists enthralled the audience with their colourful dance performance during the Republic Day's main celebrations at the Assam Rifles ground in Agartala.