NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the "Maitri Setu" over the Feni river which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura and Bangladesh via video conferencing.
Stating that the bridge will prove to be a new trade corridor between the two countries, Modi said, "The connectivity between Bangladesh and India will prove to be very important for the northeast region and for India and Bangladesh trade as well."
Spanning over 1.9 kilometres the newly inaugurated bridge joins Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh. Moreover, the name symbolises the growing bilateral ties between both the countries. The construction of the bridge has been overseen by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. at a project cost of Rs. 133 Crores.
"The bridge is poised to herald a new chapter for trade and people to people movement between India and Bangladesh. With this inauguration, Tripura is set to become the 'Gateway of North East' with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is just 80 km from Sabroom," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in the statement.
Calling it a historic moment, the Prime Minsiter of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina asserted that it is the creation of a new era in South Asia by providing connectivity India, "Political boundaries should not become physical barriers to trade," she added. She further stated that it will also help Bangladesh's trade with Nepal and Bhutan.
With this inauguration, Tripura is set to become the 'Gateway of Northeast' with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is just 80 km from Bangladesh.
Apart from the inauguration of the bridge PM Modi laid foundation of multiple infrastructure projects in Tripura.
Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb terming it as a historic moment said that the projects launched by the PM will make Tripura 'a new gateway of North East'.
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