Indo-Bangla connectivity via Maitree Setu likely to begin in Feb

The Bangladesh-India Friendship Bridge, also known as Maitree Setu, linking Tripura's Sabroom to Chattogram Port, is expected to become operational in February, nearly three years after its inauguration.

Aditya Mishra, chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), announced the development on Wednesday after visiting the ongoing work at the Sabroom Integrated Check Post and other developmental initiatives aimed at enhancing trade and commerce through the utilisation of the bridge, reports the Times of India.

"The project under our watch is nearing completion. We are making all possible efforts to get this port inaugurated by next month. This port will facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between the two countries and boost the economy of the region," Mishra said.

The bridge, located at the access point of northeastern states to the Chittagong seaport over the River Feni, is expected to facilitate improved connectivity between the two nations, says the Times of India.

Md Zillur Rahman Chowdhury, chairman of the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, told The Business Standard that the construction of Maitree Setu has already been completed. All preparations, including the establishment of infrastructure at Ramgarh Land Port and the completion of the Integrated Check Post, have also been finalised.

"Now we are waiting to launch the bridge. Both Bangladesh and India want goods and passengers to pass through this land port as soon as possible. However, the official launch date has not been finalised yet. If the Indian side aims for a February launch, there will be no difficulty for Bangladesh," he added.

The about 1.9-kilometre-long Maitree Setu, linking Sabroom and Chattogram Port at a distance of around 80 kilometres, was jointly inaugurated by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in March 2021.

However, it has not yet become operational due to the absence of a land-integrated check post and poor road connectivity on the Bangladesh side, as reported by an Indian newspaper.

Mishra said Maitree Setu has ushered in new avenues for trade and communication between Southeast Asian countries and Northeast India, and it is very important for enhancing trade and passenger movement between India and Bangladesh. Besides cargo and transshipments, the Sabroom integrated check post will facilitate passenger movement from both countries.

On Tuesday, Aditya Mishra, along with LPAI Secretary Vivek Burman, LPAI member Sanjeev Gupta, and Inspector General of BSF Tripura Piyush Patel, visited Sabroom.

During the visit, a delegation from Bangladesh led by Director Ramgarh Port Sarwar Alam, CO Lt Col Syed Imam Hossain, UNO Ramgarh Mamta Afrin, AC Land Ramgarh Manas Chandra Das, and traffic officials from Bangladesh joined and assured full cooperation and expedited the process, according to the Times of India.

Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Zillur said a project related to port facilities was initiated earlier but was subsequently shelved due to some special reasons. Recently, the project has been re-launched, and as a result, the land port authorities are now ready to operate the port.

A senior official from the Security Service Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh said an inter-ministerial meeting was held last month to launch the Bangladesh-India Friendship Bridge.

"In that meeting, all the parties involved, including land port, customs, and immigration, confirmed that all preparations for commencing the operation of the bridge and port have been completed. Hence, it can be operational at any time," he told TBS, preferring anonymity.

Cattle, fish fry, fresh fruits, plants, seeds, wheat, stones (stones and boulders), coal, chemical fertilisers, china clay, wood, timber, limestone, onion, pepper, garlic, ginger, ball clay, and quartz can be imported from India through this port.

On the other hand, all types of products from Bangladesh can be exported to India. Currently, Bangladesh conducts imports and exports with India through 15 land ports.

The construction of the bridge has connected the northeastern states of India with other states of the country through Bangladesh. Previously, these states were only connected to the rest of India through the state of Assam.

It has also been described as "North-East India's gateway" to the outside world due to its strategic connectivity with the Chattogram seaport in Bangladesh.

The bridge links Tripura with the Chattogram port, facilitating the connection of the landlocked northeastern Indian states to the sea. Consequently, the transportation of heavy machinery and goods to Northeast India through Bangladesh will be possible.