On 1st November 2023, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India and Sheikh Hasina, PM of Bangladesh, jointly inaugurated three Indian–assisted development projects via video conferencing.
These 3 projects in the rail and power sector aims to strengthen connectivity and energy security in India and Bangladesh.
The 3 projects are:
- Akhaura – Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link.
- Khulna – Mongla Port Rail Line.
- Unit – II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
Rail Link between Tripura’s Nischintapur and Gangasagar in Bangladesh
PM Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated a rail line starting from Tripura’s Nischintapur to Gangasagar in Bangladesh which will connect Agartala (Tripura) with Akhaura (Bangladesh). This project is also known as Akhaura-Agartala rail link. It will help to give boost and promote tourism, cross border trade and people to people exchange between two countries.
About Akhaura-Agartala Cross Border Rail Link
- The length of the rail link is 12.24 Km with 6.78 Km dual gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 Km in Tripura.
- This project will significantly reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka from 31 hours to just 10 hours.
- The Project is entirely funded by the Government of India with budget of Rs 392.52 crore which is extended as grant assistance to Bangladesh.
Khulna –Mongla Port Rail Line
The project encompasses the construction of a 65 Km broad gauge rail route that will connect Mongla Port to the existing rail network in Khulna. This marks the integration of Mongla, the 2nd largest port of Bangladesh, with the broader-gauge (BG) railway network. The project has been implemented under the Government of India’s concessional Line of Credit with a total project cost USD 388.92 million.
Rupsha Bridge (5.2 Km long) is a key part of the project which was completed on June 25, 2022. It will connect Central and North Bangladesh and also to the Indian border at Petrapole and Gede in West Bengal.
The Khulna –Mongla Project will boost the connectivity of Bangladesh with its 3 neighbours- India, Nepal and Bhutan. The rail will connect Mongla Port and Siliguri in India through Panchagarh and Banglabandh in the north. The Project is part of the 1st Line of Credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2010.
Launched Unit-II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant
Unit-II of Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was jointly inaugurated by the PM of India and PM of Bangladesh virtually on November 1, 2023.
Unit –I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was unveiled jointly by both PMs in September, 2022.
About Unit-II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant
- The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project under Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of USD 1.6 billion is a 1320 MW (2×660) Super Thermal Power Plant located in Rampal in Khulna division of Bangladesh.
- The project has been implemented by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Private) Limited (BIFPCL) which is a 50:50 joint venture company between India’s NTPC Limited, (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
- The operationalisation of Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant will enhance security in Bangladesh.
About Bangladesh:
Prime Minister(PM)- Sheikh Hasina
Capital- Dhaka
Currency- Bangladeshi Taka
About NTPC Limited:
It is a central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power. It received Maharatna company status in 2010.
CEO– Gurdeep Singh
Headquarter– New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 7 November, 1975
