Indo-Bangla Pact Signed, Ashuganj-Akhaura Road to become 4-lane Highway

Agartala, January 25, 2020:

In a major impetus to the lndo-Bangla bilateral relations for regional communication and economic development, both the countries Thursday signed an agreement to upgrade the 50.58-kilometre long road between Ashuganj river port and the Akhaura land port in Bangladesh into a 4-lane.

According to reports, the deal will upgrade the 39 killometre long road between Ashuganj river port to Dharhar area and was signed between the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh and an Indian Company Afcons Infrastructure limited. The project is part of the dollar 2 billion second line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2016.

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The RHD and an India-Bangladesh joint venture firm will take up the work of upgrading part of the road of Darhar to Akhaura in Bangladesh.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said, “Development cooperation is an important aspect in the India-Bangladesh relationship...."

She said that governments of both the countries had identified altogether 46 projects in Bangladesh for improving connectivity. Bangladesh Minister Obaidul Qader hoped that the project would be completed in time.

"In the first phase of the project, 12.21 kilometers of road will be constructed in Ashuganj port to Sarail. In the second phase, 27 kilometers of road will be constructed from Sarail to Dharhar. The total cost of the project is expected to cross Rs 600 crore, whereas, for consultancy for next 5 years, it has been calculated at Rs 117.65 crore" he added, including that last phase of road would be constructed from Dharhar to Akhaura (which is measured at 11.32 kilometers).

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The Bangladesh Minister also asserted that this new range of projects would build more acquaintance between both the countries. “New high construction symbolizes the depth and extent of friendly relationship between India and Bangladesh” he observed. He also asserted that Bangladesh would always remain a friend of India in its March towards development.

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