The India-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, also known as the Maitri Setu in Tripura, is expected to be opened for use within the next two months.
Chairman of the Land Port Authority of India, Aditya Mishra and a delegation from Bangladesh visited the Sabroom border on Thursday (April 13) and announced that once the Foreign Affairs Ministries of India and Bangladesh give the green signal, the movement of people will start through Sabroom border.
A five-member delegation, led by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mustafizur Rahman, visited the Maitri Setu at Sabroom under South Tripura District today.
The Bangladesh delegation consisted of the Minister of Bangladesh Foreign Office, Ariful Rahman, the Minister of Bangladesh Commerce, AKM Atiqul Haque, and the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Agartala, Arif Mohammad.
The delegation, along with Mishra and other officials from India, visited the construction sites of the Maitri Bridge and Integrated Check Post (ICP) and reviewed the progress of the works.
In a discussion, the representatives of the two countries agreed to submit recommendations to the foreign ministries of each country for starting the daily travel of 200 to 300 people through passports within the next two months.
Ex-MLA Shankar Roy, who was present during the visit, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of Tripura Dr Manik Saha want the Maitri Bridge to be opened at the earliest, as it will create a huge commercial opportunities around it.
Roy also expressed hope that the movements through the ICP will commence within the next two to three months.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mostafizur Rahman, appreciated the works of the Integrated Check Post (ICP), and the delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress of the works.
The Maitri Setu, which spans the Feni river and connects Tripura to Chittagong in Bangladesh, is expected to boost trade and commerce between the two countries. Once operational, Maitri Setu will make the gateway to South East Asia.