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The Biplab Deb government in Tripura has been tasked with coordinating with various Central ministries in the implementation of ₹972-crore rail connectivity project between India and Bangladesh on the Akhaura-Agartala border.
The 15-km rail link, financed by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) and implemented by the Railways Ministry (monitored by the External Affairs Ministry), promises to be a vital link for passenger and cargo movement between the two countries.
No planning
The project is particularly attractive to Tripura as it will help in transshipment of cargo from both the Chittagong port and the mainland through Bangladesh.
But the planning was done in silo without any coordination with the border management authorities under the Union Home Ministry, which has no clue to the design of the rail-based facilities under construction.
Apparently, the implementing authorities had not considered the operational issues at the planning stage. Once the plans were firmed up, they approached a Central government-run organisation to take the responsibility. But without much success. The latter wanted concessions which were not part of the plan.
Tripura proposal
Earlier this year, before the Assembly election, the Manik Sarkar government had written to the Centre, requesting it to designate the Land Ports Authority under the Union Home Ministry to run the facility.
LPAI has already invested hugely in setting up a modern Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Agartala.
The rail facility, therefore, would have to be run as a second ICP, which could prove to be a costly proposition.
As per plans, 60 per cent of the project cost will be spent on the Indian side, which has 30 per cent share of the rail link. The higher cost is attributed to lavish planning on cargo and passenger terminals and high land acquisition costs in Tripura. To avoid land acquisition, the rail lines will pass through a 3.1-km viaduct.
There are doubts whether such costly infrastructure will be economically viable . Inclusion of LPAI in the planning stage might have helped optimise costs.
For the Tripura government, the task at the hand is to ensure smooth implementation of the project. The Chief Minister has called a meeting of all stakeholders in Agartala in July.
The aim is to convince the Railways to include LPAI as a partner and share project details for any modifications. A similar exercise is also to be initiated to integrate the upcoming rail terminal at Sabroom in South Tripura with the proposed LPAI run ICP.
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