ProMASS News Bureau: Jan 6, 2016:
Enhancing the bi-lateral relation India and Banglades further, the Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industries Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated an Integrated Land Custom Station (LCS) at Srimantapur, about 50 km away from Agartala, Tripura on Jan 6. Tripura CM Manik Sarkar was also present in the function. This multi-facility land custom station including immigration centre is expected to give a fillip to the export-import trade between India and Bangladesh and boost up economy of the State as well. The Srimantapur LCS is set up with the cost of Rs. 16 crore in an area of 2.86 acre land in a bordering village, named Srimantapur in Sonamura under Sepahijala district in Tripura.
While addressing the gathering of local people, after inauguration of the LCS, Sitharaman referred to the intention of the PM Narendra Modi towards all round and equitable development of all States to ensure real development of the country. She said the Union Government has naturally accorded higher importance to development projects of the State of Tripura. She said deeper bilateral relations with Bangladesh would enhance the spate of development of the State, to that point of view New LCS of Srimantapur would bear more importance for the whole region and the State in particular.
Pointing out to ensuing projects in the State, the Minister observed that the State would become a gateway to the South East Asian economies. Referring to this, she assured to take up the issue of construction of bridge over Feni river with Ministry of External Affairs.
Commenting on North East Industrial Promotion Policy, the Union Minister said that she would take initiatives for regularization of the policy. Sitharaman further said the Ministry of Commerce & Industries would actively consider to the State’s proposal for setting up of two more border haat (markets) at Raghna (Dharmanagar) and Kamalpur in the State. Mentioning about difficulty towards construction of roadways along the terrains crisscrossing the State, Smt Sitharam said, at the context, the Centre would extend all possible help to the State for waterway development projects.
Earlier, CM Manik Sarkar drew the attention of the Centre for taking pro-active initiative for early construction of the bridge to link Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. He said the bridge over Feni river would certainly boost up transportation, business and commerce of the region and the State as well. He also highlighted the importance of the Srimantapur LCS in terms of trade and communication with Bangladesh, saying the distance with Comilla city of Bangladesh is only 8km and Dhaka 104 km away from here.
Amongst others Industries and Commerce Minister of Tripura, Sports and Youth Affairs of Tripura were also present in the function.
