• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Maitri Setu’ between India and Bangladesh today on 9th March.

    • ‘Maitri Setu’ bridge which spans 1.9 kilometres joining Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh, has been built over Feni river which flows between Indian boundary in Tripura and Bangladesh.

    • The name of the bridge symbolises the growing bilateral relations and friendly ties between India and Bangladesh. 

    • The construction of the bridge has been overseen by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. 

    • PM said with this inauguration, Tripura is set to become the ‘Gateway of North East’ with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is just 80 km from Sabroom.

    • Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina also addressed the event and congratulated both the countries for the inauguration of the bridge.

    • Several other infrastructure projects in Tripura were also inaugurated.

    • Foundation stone was laid for setting up an integrated check post at Sabroom which will help in easing the movement of goods and passengers between India and Bangladesh.

    • The project has an estimated cost of about ₹232 crore.

    • Foundation stone was also laid of H-208 connecting the Unakoti district headquarters at Kailashahar with the Khowai district headquarters, state highways and other district roads with a financial outlay of ₹63.75 crore.

    • 40,978 houses are constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and multi-level car parking and commercial complex at Old motor stand.

    • State of Tripura has witnessed transformation like connecting 2 lakh rural households with piped drinking water, providing 2.5 lakh free gas connection, making every village in Tripura open defecation free, 50000 pregnant women receiving the benefit of Matru Vandana Yojana, 40000 poor families getting their new homes, etc.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)