Akhaura-Agartala dual gauge railway will be inaugurated on September 9. Track cars have been running on the railway for a few days ahead of the inauguration. Track cars have been successfully run throughout the Bangladesh section of this railway. The total cost of implementing this project is 477 crore 81 lakh taka. Out of this, government financing is Tk 575 crore and Indian debt is Tk 420 crore 76 lakh crore.
According to those concerned with the project, after its inauguration, it will first go to Seven Sisters in the north-eastern region of India via Agartala with direct goods from Dhaka Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD) along with Chattogram port. Passenger trains will run later.
Akhaur-Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Project Director and Railway Eastern Chief Engineer Md. Abu Jafar Mia visited a high-level delegation from the two countries. West Bengal and Tripura have been connected with Bangladesh through the construction of this railway. It is hoped that connectivity and trade between the two countries will be strengthened.
Chief Engineer of Railways (East) and Director of Akhaura-Agartala Railway Line Construction Project Abu Jafar Mia said that the work of Akhaura-Agartala railway line has been completed. Now waiting for the inauguration. Railway lines have been laid on the border. Fittings are finished. Now there will be a trial. Some work is left on the immigration building. First, freight trains will start running. Cargo trains from Chattogram Port will go to Seven Sisters of India. Passenger trains will also start running after that.
According to Railway Eastern Transport Department sources, the railway route from Akhaura to Nishchintpur in Tripura, India is 10.5 km long. Here 6.5 km part is in Bangladesh. The remaining 4 km is in the Agartala section. This railway will play a role in increasing the relationship and rail communication between the two neighboring countries. Goods and passenger trains can run from Akhaura to Kolkata via Agartala. Will reduce travel time and distance within Kolkata. If the project starts, it will take 10 hours instead of 31 hours and the distance between Agartala and Kolkata will be reduced from 1,650 km to only 513 km. The door of trade will be opened by railway between the two countries, and the cost of transportation will be reduced.
It is known that an agreement was signed with Indian contractor Texgmeco Rail and Engineering Limited on May 21, 2018 for the construction of dual gauge railway from Akhaura to Nishchintpur in Agartala. The contractor started work on the project on 29 July 2018.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in 2010, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries regarding the construction of this railway.