AGARTALA, January 4 (TIWN): Tripura's first border market, locally known as haat, with Bangladesh at Srinagar under the South District to be inaugurated on Jan 13. Ahead of its inauguration the 10 members Bangladesh delegation visited the site today to take a stock of the situation and held a discussion with the local district administration. the program stage will be made with 25 VIP sit in capacity.

A 10 members Bangladesh delegation had visited newly constructed Srinagar border haat site today and held a preparatory meeting with the local district administration and other officials. The District administration will take the charge of the sitting arrangements during the program. And from the block level the entry pass will be given to the local people. And the District administration will issue the pass to the special guests. During the visit of the Bangladesh delegation here today a part of the site has been measured for the construction of the programme stage, which will have its capacity for 25 VIPs. Besides, extra forces from Tripura as well as from Bangladesh will be deployed during the programme.

The border haat area at Srinagar and the roads on Indian side were constructed by India at a cost of Rs 2.4 crore and commerce ministers of both India and Bangladesh have been invited to be present on the inauguration day. 

Business in the 'haat' would take place once a week among the people living within 5 km radius of the border who would sell and buy locally produced goods and crops. No local taxes would be imposed on the items to be sold in the haats and currencies of both the countries would be accepted. Initially, 16 items were shortlisted which include agricultural and horticultural crops, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fish and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items. 

According to the official sources, altogether four border haats would be constructed in Tripura, two others at Kamalpur in Dhalai district and one at Dharmanagar in North Tripura district. 

These markets are set up at the zero line of the international border with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh. The cost of construction of the Kamalasagar haat, 28 km from here, spread over two sides of the border would be Rs 2.44 crore which would be borne by the Indian Ministry of Commerce. The first border haat was set up in 2012 at Kalaichar in West Garo hills of Meghalaya.