India moves for Agartala-Akhaura railway link
Central minister to lay foundation stone July 31
Indian Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will lay the foundation stone of Agartala-Akhaura rail service on July 31 to connect India's northeastern part with Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will simultaneously flag off the broad gauge train service between New Delhi and Agartala from the national capital, Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey told reporters in Agartala.
India would bear the entire project cost. New Delhi is keen to establish the rail link as it would connect West Bengal and Tripura through Bangladesh.
The 1,700 km distance between Agartala and Kolkata through the “Chicken Neck” (a narrow near tract of land) near Siliguri would be reduced to 350 km if passengers from Agartala could move through the neighbouring country. The 15-km route is expected to boost trade between the two countries.