Tripura: Bad roads severely hamper trade with Bangladesh

Agartala: International trade between Tripura and Bangladesh through Srimanatapur Integrated Check Post under Sepahijala district has been seriously hit owing to the dilapidated condition of roads. 

Due to the road’s complicated geographical location— within the 150 yards of the International borders–any fresh construction or maintenance works to become a subject to approval from the Bangladesh side, Manager Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), Agartala Debasish Nandi said.

He added, “The strategic road that connects Srimantapur ICP with Bangladesh is in very bad condition. We have been trying to restore the road but since there is an international treaty that bars both the countries from carrying out fresh construction within 150 yards of the international borders, the impasse continues to haunt the export-import through the ICP.”

According to Nandi, plans are afoot to open the ICP for the immigration of international tourists as well. “We want the process of immigration through the ICP to remain smooth and tourist-friendly. The businessmen who are either exporting or importing goods have also raised the issue with concerned authorities,” he said. 

The official was speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the ICP along with representatives from the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce (IBCC) and the All Tripura Merchant Association (ATMA).

Speaking on the issue, President of IBCC and noted businessman of Tripura Ratan Saha said, “We have come here for inspection of the road. The condition of the roads needs proper attention and it should be repaired as soon as possible. With the onset of monsoon, the task will be more difficult. We shall raise the issue with the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh seeking his intervention to resolve the matter.”

Representatives also discussed with the local traders using the vital trade route to ascertain the problems they faced.

Secretary IBCC Sujit Roy said, “It is not that only Indian traders are facing trouble. Both the countries are equally suffering from the bad road conditions. We shall draw the attention of concerned authorities of both the countries regarding the issue.”

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