Bangladesh: PM Modi & Sheikh Hasina inaugurate three Indian-assisted development projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted development projects via a video conference call.

The three projects are Akhaura- Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna - Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit – II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bangladesh.

"Our partnership with Bangladesh is a key aspect of our 'neighbourhood First policy and we are dedicated to further strengthen it," PM Modi at the time of inauguration.


Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link: The project has been executed under the Government of India grant assistance of Rs 392.52 crore extended to Bangladesh. The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with a 6.78 km Dual Gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura, according to the PMO's statement.

Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line: This project has been implemented under the Government of India's concessional Line of Credit with a total project cost of $388.92 million.

The project entails the construction of approximately 65 km of broad gauge rail route between Mongla Port and the existing rail network in Khulna. With this, Mongla, the second largest port of Bangladesh, gets connected with the broad-gauge railway network.

Maitree Super Thermal Power Project:
The thermal power project will be carried outunder an Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of $1.6 billion, a 1320 MW (2x660) Super Thermal Power Plant (MSTPP) will be located in Rampal in Khulna Division of Bangladesh.

The project has been implemented by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Private) Limited (BIFPCL), which is a 50:50 Joint Venture company between India's NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

Unit I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was unveiled jointly by both Prime Ministers in September 2022 and Unit 2 will be inaugurated on 1 November 2023. The operationalization of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant will enhance energy security in Bangladesh.

"These projects will strengthen connectivity and energy security in the region," said PMO's statement.

(With agency inputs)