Indo-Bangla land swap bill reignites old cross country corridor issue

SILIGURI: Placement of debated constitutional amendment bill to facilitate swap of land enclaves ( Chitmahals) between India and Bangladesh in parliament is reigniting one more old debated issue that remained suppressed since decades despite its national level commercial significance. That pertains to opening up of Tetulia corridor through Bangladesh land to facilitate better passage between NE India and rest part of the country.

"We want Tetulia Corridor to be opened immediately. Government of Indian must take immediate initiative to negotiate with Bangladesh Government on this. The issue has already become long pending without any major development in it," said Rahul Sinha, President West Bengal state BJP that has joined voice with TMC or AGP in opposing the land exchange bill on Wednesday.

Tetulia corridor is a proposed India to India passage in northern West Bengal through Bangladesh land. This 3 to 4 km passage that can reduce the travel length of all north east India bound vehicles for over 85 km, came on headlines during opening up of Tinbigha Corridor.

India allowed Tinbigha, the Bangladesh to Bangladesh passage, to remain open for limited duration every day first. But opened it for round the clock since September 6, 2011, after a lease agreement for the piece of land. "But opening up of Tetulia remains pending. It is failure of Government of India," said Sinha.

As learnt, the issue has been finalized and ratified by the top most policy making level of BJP including its National President Rajnath Singh.

Congress is considering squaring up of the Chitmahal issue to be a boon for its electoral benefit as over 1 lakh people are residing in those lands pieces officially owned by India but within Bangladesh territory. That makes it keen on passing the bill. On the other side, Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh is also in the same line of thought to get Bangladeshi Chitmahals out of India boundary to gain in next election.

But, "May not be pure white in the eyes of law or policy makers in cold chambers. But the life and economy in Chitmahals have already taken its own shape since partition of India. Large section of Chitmahal dwellers won't appreciate any sudden shuffle in that. They will rather prefer a status quo. BJP is interested on that," said political analysts. At the same time, "This will give BJP an opportunity to take up Tetulia corridor issue that can give them additional mileage,' they said.