India and Bangladesh Launch Three Joint Development Projects to Boost Trade, Connectivity and Energy Security
Projects include a historic rail link providing the first connection from India’s northeastern states to Bangladesh, a rail line connecting the second largest port in Bangladesh, Khulna-Mongla, to promote regional trade, and a super thermal power plant to address Bangladesh's growing energy needs.
- India and Bangladesh launched three joint development projects to increase trade, connectivity, and energy security in the region.
- The Akhaura-Agartala rail link provides the first connection from India’s northeastern states to Bangladesh. It was developed under a memorandum of understanding from 2013, with India providing grant assistance of nearly ₹400 crore.
- The Khulna-Mongla Port rail line project, whose total cost is $388.92 million, connects the Mongla Port, Bangladesh's second largest, to the broad-gauge railway network. This project is expected to reduce reliance on road transportation, increase usage of container wagons, and promote regional trade.
- The Maitree super thermal power plant, a 1320 MW facility, was implemented to meet Bangladesh's growing energy demands. This project was implemented by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between the Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s NTPC.
- The two countries also agreed to link their payment gateways, a step that continues their focus on increased economic connectivity and cross-border power and energy trade.
