Assam Industry Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, recently shared that the State government is considering reopening the rail links between Assam and Bangladesh. The Minister informed that the State government has moved Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NITI Aayog for reopening of the pre-partition railway links from Chittagong to Makum, Cox Bazar to Ledo and third line between Bangladesh via Golakganj till Moirabari. ‘While working for Agartala-Akhaura Railway Link has started, we have discussed with MEA and NITI Aayog for restoration of three railway links from Assam to Bangladesh.’
To provide thrust to India-Bangladesh trade, stakeholders meet will be held on October 22 and 23 in Guwahati. The Bangladesh delegation with over 90 members will be led by Tipu Munshi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh and 70 officials from Bangladesh. Ministers from Government of India along with top officials of Ministry of Commerce, External Affairs, Road Transport and Shipping are likely to attend this meet.
Patowary also stated that restoring the links of the region with and through the ASEAN and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) countries shall enable it to overcome from being land-locked and insularity. Upgrading the decades old Look East Policy into the more proactive Act East Policy in 2001, has provided the region with a unique opportunity to reinvent itself.
