AGARTALA, May 4 (TIWN): In the interactive session of Govt of India led by Union Minister Sushma Swaraj and officials from NITI Aayog and DoNER Ministry with Northeast Chief Ministers was held at New Delhi today total 13 demands were placed by Tripura CM Biplab Deb for his state.

His demands are :

1. Removal of Port Restriction imposed by Bangladesh so as to improve the export in Tripura to Bangladesh- During 2016, total volume of trade between Tripura and Bangladesh was Rs. 304. 83 Crore. Export from Tripura was only Rs. 4.60 Crore. Thus, there is severe trade deficit being faced by Tripura due to Port Restrictions imposed by Bangladesh on the items exported from Tripura. Chief Minister Shri Deb requested Ministry of External Affairs to take appropriate measures to remove trade restrictions on 27 number of items from Tripura to Bangladesh so as to improve the trade of Tripura with Bangladesh and to reduce the trade deficit significantly. 

2. Operationalization of Chittagong port-Chittagong Port is only 75 Km from Sabroom (South Tripura). Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to take initiative to operationalise Chittagong port and resolve various issues related to customs formalities, motor vehicle permits, transit arrangements etc with Bangladesh for the said purpose. 

3. Regarding implementation of BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) Motor Vehicle Agreement: Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to take up initiatives for implementation of BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement for free movement of vehicles from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka, movement of cargo vehicles from Agartala to Ashuganj, Belonia to Chittagong and Sabroom- Chittagong. 

4. Regarding setting up of Border Haats: Already two Border Haats at Kamalasagar in Sipahijala District and Srinagar in South Tripura District are functioning. Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to obtain NOC from Bangladesh Government to setup two more Haats at Kamalpur, Dhalai District and Ragna (Palbasti), North Tripura. 

5. Shifting of IBB (Indo-Bangladesh Border) fencing in Manughat LCS- It is necessary to shift IBB fencing towards zero line at Manughat LCS so as to allow development of Integrated Check Post/Land Custom Stations within 150 yards of zero line. Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to take up the matter with Bangladesh on urgent basis. 

6. Regarding promotion of investment from Bangladesh to Tripura: At present there has been no any significant investment from Bangladesh investors into Tripura or other parts of North East. Chief Minister, Shri Deb requested to MEA to persuade the matter with Bangladesh Government so as to promote investors from Bangladesh to invest in Tripura and other parts of the North Eastern States which will improve bilateral trade between the two countries benefitting the North Eastern Region. 

7. Creation of infrastructure in the counterpart Land Customs Stations(LCS) of Bangladesh- It has been noticed that Bangladesh is not taking up all the necessary measures for activating LCS in Bangladesh due to which bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Tripura is hampering. Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to seek feasibility of financing the LCS in Bangladesh through bilateral assistance. 

8. Regarding construction of Bridge over Feni River, operationalization of Sabroom-Ramgarh LCS and 4-lane National Highway- A bridge is already under constructed by NHAI over Feni River at Sabroom to connect with the Chittagong port. Chief Minister Shri Deb proposed to derive the full benefit of direct access to the Chittagong port, the Silchar-Sabroom stretch of the National Highway may be upgraded to a 4-lane road. The matter is already under consideration of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways(MoRTH). 

9. Regarding Air Connectivity between Agartala and Dhaka- Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to take necessary steps to start air connectivity between Agartala and Dhaka for smooth flow of passengers and tourists between Bangladesh and India. 

10. Regarding Waterways connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh- The Government of Tripura earlier proposed for establishing Gomati-Meghna River Network and the matter has been taken up with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Chief Minister Shri Deb requested to follow up the matter with the Bangladesh Government so as to establish inland waterways between Tripura and Bangladesh to promote trade & commerce. 

11. Regarding establishment of Regional Passport Office at Agartala- Passport Seva Kendra was opened at Agartala in the year 2016. However, till date Regional Passport Office at Kolkata due to which the people of Agartala suffer from severe delay to get the Passports. Chief Minister Shri Deb requested MEA to upgrade the present Passport Seva Kendra into Regional Passport Office at Agartala. 

12. Removal of Special permission to enter India through Tripura: Any Bangladeshi citizen with valid visa from Government of India can enter India through any of the designated land ports or international airports of India. However Special permission is required if a Bangladeshi citizen with valid visa uses Akhaura and any other land port of Tripura as the entry point. Chief Minister Shri Deb requested the MEA to look into the matter so as to remove this special provision and allow Bangladesh citizens with Indian Visa to enter Tripura from any land port. 

13. Regarding use International Internet Gateway for improvement of IT connectivity in Agartala, Tripura- Chief Minister Shri Deb requested the concerned authorities to use International Internet Gateway which has reached up to Agartala from Bangladesh side for making Tripura an IT Hub of the North East in the future.