India-Bangladesh Relations / PM Modi inaugurated 3 projects in Bangladesh, know about them

India-Bangladesh Relations: A new series of relations has started between India and Bangladesh. PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina today jointly inaugurated three India-assisted development projects through video conferencing. These three projects are Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit-2 of Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant.

What did PM Modi say?

At the inauguration of three development projects between India and Bangladesh, PM Narendra Modi said, "It is a matter of pleasure that once again we have come together to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation. Our relations continue to reach new heights." The work we have done together in the last 9 years was not done even in the previous decades.

#WATCH | On the inauguration of three development projects between India and Bangladesh, PM Narendra Modi says, "It is a matter of joy that once again we have connected to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation. Our relations are reaching new heights continuously.… pic.twitter.com/ZjhZ6tTCNe

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2023

What did PM Sheikh Hasina say?

PM Sheikh Hasina said, "I express my gratitude for your commitment to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two countries."

It will take 10 hours less to go from Agartala to Kolkata

An official said, "At present the train takes about 31 hours to reach Kolkata from Agartala, which will be reduced by 10 hours." He said that to speed up the work of the project, Indian Railways has allocated funds from its budget. Rs 153.84 crore has been allocated.

The project involves construction of approximately 65 kilometers of broad-gauge rail route between Mongla Port and the existing rail network at Khulna. This will connect Bangladesh's second largest port Mongla with the broad-gauge railway network. The Maitri Super Thermal Power Project is a 1320 MW Super Thermal Power Plant (MSTPP) located at Rampal in Khulna Division of Bangladesh, under the Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of $1.6 billion.

Grant-in-aid of Rs 392.52 crore

The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link Project has been completed under a grant-in-aid of Rs 392.52 crore given by the Government of India to Bangladesh. The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with 6.78 km of dual gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura. The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project has been completed under the concessional credit facility of the Government of India with a total project cost of $388.92 million. This will boost cross border trade and will also reduce the time taken to travel from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka.

Unit-2 of Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant inaugurated

The project is implemented by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Private) Limited (BIFPCL), a 50:50 joint venture company between India's NTPC Limited and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Unit-1 of Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant was jointly unveiled by both the Prime Ministers in September 2022 and Unit 2 will be inaugurated on Wednesday. The operationalization of Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant will enhance energy security in Bangladesh.