"Modi and Hasina Jointly Inaugurate Three Vital Development Projects"

In a momentous virtual ceremony, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three pivotal development projects, enhancing bilateral ties and connectivity between the two neighboring nations.

The trio of projects comprises the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line, and unit-2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.

The inauguration of the Agartala-Akhaura Cross-Border Rail Link, made possible with a grant assistance of ₹392.52 crore from India, marked a historic milestone, as emphasized by Modi. He stated, "This is the first rail link between the northeast and Bangladesh." The newly established rail link is expected to substantially reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka, offering a significant boost to cross-border trade.

The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project involves the construction of approximately 65 kilometers of broad gauge rail route connecting Mongla Port to the existing rail network in Khulna. This project has been executed with a concessional line of credit from India, with an estimated project cost of $388.92 million.

The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, funded under the Indian Concessional Financing Scheme with a loan of $1.6 billion, represents a remarkable addition to Bangladesh's energy infrastructure. This 1,320 MW Super Thermal Power Plant (MSTPP) is situated in Rampal in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh and has been undertaken by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Private) Limited (BIFPCL). BIFPCL is a 50:50 joint venture between India's NTPC Ltd and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). While unit-1 of the project was inaugurated in September last year, the two Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated unit-2 during the virtual event.

These significant development projects not only strengthen the ties between India and Bangladesh but also foster increased connectivity and economic cooperation, setting the stage for a prosperous future in the region."

HBL