Maitri Setu between India, Bangladesh to be operational next month

India-Bangladesh friendship bridge, known as Maitri Setu, is expected to be operational next month after the inauguration of the third integrated check post (ICP) at Sabroom in India’s Tripura state.

The third integrated check post (ICP) at Sabroom is likely to be inaugurated virtually from New Delhi during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned visit to India at the beginning of September, according to India-based news outlets.

On March 9 in 2021, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi inaugurated the 1.9-kilometre-long bridge, constructed over the Feni River.

However, the bridge, which connected Bangladesh’s Chattogram and India’s Tripura, was not opened to traffic despite the inauguration.

The third ICP will unlock new avenues of trade and communication between South East Asia and northeast India,

South Tripura district magistrate Saju Waheed A recently visited the third ICP area to review the preparations and completion of works.

He said passenger movement would begin after the inauguration of ICP. However, the Cargo movement would begin after the stabilisation of the system and infrastructure.

After the opening of the third ICP, the bridge will facilitate travel from the southern districts of Bangladesh to India through Tripura and international cargo from the Chattogram seaport.

Currently, there are ICPs at two points, Akhaura-Agartala and Srimantapur-Sonamura, to facilitate the travel of people of Bangladesh and India.