Tripura seeks access to Chittagong port in Bangladesh

AGARTALA: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has urged access to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh to the people of the north eastern region and said it would help further improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Inaugurating a photography exhibition - 'My soil, My Soul,' organized by the Chittagong Photo Journalist Association (CPJA) here last night, Sarkar said, "We do not want to remain satisfied with the photographs only. We want to make a lively relation with the Chittagong, which can be set up by giving access to the Chittagong port to the people of North-East."

He said, the people of the region had long been demanding access to the port and introduction of trans-shipment of goods through this port and added if commercial and economic exchange programmes took place both the countries would be benefited and bilateral relation would be further improved.

Sarkar said that the relation between Bangladesh and India was very cordial now and acknowledged that the 726 mw gas based thermal power project in Gomati district in the state could not have been possible if the Bangladesh had not allowed to use its sea and riverine routes and the Ashuganj river port on Meghna for shipment of machines for the project.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his initiative to resolve the pending issues like water sharing of Teesta river and exchange of enclaves.