AGARTALA, Oct 23 (TIWN): NFR Chief Administrative Officer A K Yadav in his one day visit in Tripura told media that the ongoing Indo-Bangla railway project to be finished in scheduled time. Yadav has arrived in Tripura on Monday, met the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to discuss various issues on Railway. While addressing the media here, Yadav gave a hint on the Rajdhani Express’s official inauguration’s in this October month. But while talking on Indo-Bangla project, Yadav said that the earlier announced time for Indo-Bangla railway’s functioning will be followed.

However, as per the earlier announced date by the Central Ministers, the Indo-Bangla railway to be functioned from 2019.

Earlier, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation Devaragunda Venkappa Sadananda Gowda in the month of August said, “Works on Indo-Bangla projects are going on in Tripura Part and the Bangladesh side expectedly to be completed by next year December”.

Samarjit Bhowmik (Former Transport Secretary while the project began) while visiting Indo-Bangla railway projects, told media  that as per as India side is concerned works had begun in Tripura side and for Bangladesh side the govt has sought time till 2018 December.

 “By 2019 January the project most likely to be finished and come under functioning”, said Bhowmik. “At the part of the project under Shib Sagar (Bangladesh) they are processing their works very quickly and it is expected that they will start work on it within few months”, said Bhowmik.

However, the project would boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Act East' policy. The Indian government has the highest priority to the Agartala-Akhaura railway project that would automatically connect the rail network of both the countries developing the bonding between two countries. Agartala-Akhaura railway project would provide a major boost to development and economy of the northeastern region of India and eastern Bangladesh. Modi discussed the over Rs.1, 000 crore railway project with Hasina during his visit to Dhaka in June last year.

An agreement to implement the railway project was signed between India’s former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India in January 2010.

 The officials on Wednesday had visited Nischintapur area as a part of inspecting the work-progress. However, land acquisition has been completed so far.