DHAKA: Surface connectivity between India`s northeast region and Bangladesh would be further developed for the economic development of the region, a union minister said here Sunday.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has recently directed to the concerned ministries to further improve the rail, road, and air connectivity in the northeastern region. The surface connectivity between the region and Bangladesh are being developed," Oscar Fernandes, Union road transport and highways minister told reporters.

He said: "The central government would accord top priority in developing road, rail and air connectivity in the northeastern region. To strengthen the economy of the northeastern region, improvement of the connectivity within the region and with Bangladesh is very essential."

Fernandes said that the union commerce ministry would provide funds for the construction of a bridge over the river Feni in southern Tripura`s Sabroom, to get access of the Chittagong international sea port.

The Chittagong port in southeast Bangladesh is just 75 km away from the southern Tripura`s border town Sabroom, 135 km south of Agartala.

The central minister accompanied by senior officials arrived here Sunday and laid the foundation for the double lane of the National Highway 44, the life-line of Tripura`s surface link with the rest of the country.

Responding to the demands of the Tripura government, the minister said that an additional national highway would be developed between Tripura-Assam and rest of the northeastern region. For this, the Tripura government would arrange required lands.

Earlier, the union minister held separate meetings with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury, and senior officials of the central and state Public Works Departments. He reviewed the progress of the highway projects in Tripura.

Source: business-standard.com

BDST: 2025 HRS, NOV 10, 2013
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