Context:

  • Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the rail link between Agartala and Akhaura (in Bangladesh).
  • It serves to re­establish connectivity between Bangladesh and India’s northeast through Tripura.
  • Through this link, States of northeast India can also be connected to ports of Bangladesh.
  • The project also is in continued adherence to the Central government’s ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.

What is the rail link about?

  • The 12.24 km long rail line constituting of about 6.78 km dual gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura, would link the latter to Akhaura in its immediate neighbourhood and thereby, its broader rail network.
  • Nischintapur in West Tripura would serve as the international immigration station, that is, provide facilities to process immigration­related scrutiny for passengers.
  • Additionally, in September, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had declared Nischintapur as a Land Customs Station (LCS).
  • It refers to any notified place meant for the clearance of goods imported or to be exported by land or inland water.
  • Other than the international transit, once completely operational, the project would also reduce the travel time between Agartala and Kolkata from about 31 hours at present to 10 hours.
  • The existing commute distance between the two cities is 1,581 km and requires a re­route via Guwahati and Lumding in Assam. This would be curtailed to 460 km.
Syllabus: Prelims + mains; GS III – Trasport