Several India-Bangladesh projects in Tripura delayed due to 'unrest in Bangladesh': Tripura CM

Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha has said unrest in Bangladesh is delaying joint projects between the two countries in his state.

Saha made the remark yesterday (15 December) while laying the foundation stone of seven different projects at Udaipur in the South Tripura district.

During the event, the Tripura CM said the Maitri Setu built over the Feni River lay unutilised despite being ready for use, Indian Express reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Maitri Setu virtually on 9 March, 2021.

Various projects including the Agartala-Akhaura International Railway project, Feni bridge for bilateral goods transport, Sabroom Integrated Check Post, and International inland waterways transport in Sepahijala district, are witnessing stagnation since the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh on 5 August despite official inauguration or being in the advanced stage of completion.

Meanwhile, speaking about his government's steps to improve the condition of tribals, CM Saha said, "With the assistance of the World Bank, the state government has been implementing different projects worth 1,400 crore rupees for the socio-economic development of tribals across the state."

He added the state government also allocated 7,000 crore rupees for infrastructural development.

Saha expressed concern over the rising drug menace in the state and announced that at least one drug addiction centre would be set up in all eight districts of the state.

200 crore rupees has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for these de-addiction centres, he added.