AGARTALA, June 26 (TIWN): The Public Works Department (PWD) has sought Expression of Interest (EOI) for preparing drawing and design of a bridge connecting Sabroom with Ramgarh (Bangladesh).The bridge, which is expected to come up in the river Feni, is supposed to bring a sea change in the bilateral trade between two sides of border since Chittagong sea port is not much far from Sabroom town in South district.

 “The department has already sought EOI seeking consultancy for undertaking the drawing and design of the Rs. 76 crore bridge in the river Feni. And the EOIs will be opened on June 30 for taking the process forward”, said Superintending Engineer Kamal Sarkra over telephone Udaipur today. He said the selected consultancy farm would prepare a DPR for the bridge with international standard and submit before the government for taking a final call. The Central government will fund the entire project and bridge connecting will be four-lane but the length has not been fixed yet, he said.

Earlier, the Industry department has given the project to implement it at the earliest but the process could not gain ground due back to back elections.The bilateral trade has been stalled since long time due to connectively problem in between Bangladesh and Sabroom. However, things will change if the bridge is constructed. The bridge could appear a major boost in the trade since Chittagong sea port is just 90 km from Sabroom tow.

Once the bridge comes up, it will be easier to bring heavy equipments, goods and other consignments to Sabroom by using Chittagong sea port, according to businessmen here.

It was Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the then Industries Minister Jitendra Chowdhury who pushed the project before the Union government and finally the Centre has accepted the plan.