PM inaugurates ‘Maitri Setu’ to connect India, Bangladesh

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 9

A fortnight ahead of his visit to Dhaka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the “Maitri Setu” (Friendship Bridge) between India and Bangladesh.

“Maitri Setu” spans 1.9 km, connecting Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh over Feni River.

Bridge spans 1.9 km, connecting Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in B’desh over Feni river

The flurry of activity coincided with March 9 marking the completion of three years of the BJP government in Tripura. Today was also the last day of filing nomination papers for the first phase of the Assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam.

• PM Narendra Modi released 11 volumes of manuscript with commentaries by 21 scholars on shlokas of Srimad Bhagavad Gita in New Delhi on Tuesday.
• Manoj Sinha (L), J&K Lt Governor and Congress leader Karan Singh were present at the event. The manuscript has been published by Dharmarth Trust.

Sources said the inauguration of the bridge was slated during PM Modi’s Dhaka visit on January 26, but the event was brought forward at South Block’s request.

As a result, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina could not be present real-time when PM Modi was inaugurating the bridge. Instead, a tape recorded address by Hasina was instead inserted.

“This is a historic moment as we are creating a new era in South Asia by providing connectivity to India. Political boundaries should not become physical barriers to trade,” she said.

At the same time, Hasina said the project was conceived by an earlier Chief Minister (Manik Sarkar of the CPM) who had then approached her to facilitate various clearances. The CM, she said, had also assured that his side would take care of the financing.

PM Modi said the developmental activity was a result of “a double-engine government, BJP at the Centre and BJP in Tripura”.

With this inauguration, Tripura is set to become the “Gateway of North East” with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is 80 km from Sabroom, said a statement from the PM’s Office.

The PM also laid foundation stones for integrated check post at Sabroom, highway in Tripura and 40,978 low-income houses in Agartala.