The Tripura Government, in a bid to promote tourism in the region, will be developing the India-Bangladesh Akhaura border on the lines of Punjab’s famed Attari-Wagah border. The border spot will be used for regular drills similar to that of the Indo-Pak border.
Reportedly, a budget of INR 90 crore has been allotted to build up facilities like stadiums, where people from this side of the border can gather and witness the half-an-hour programme. As per the sources, India will also be investing INR 250 crore in building a 15 km railway track connecting the capital of Tripura, Agartala with Akhaura. Of the 15 km rail track, 5 km of the track will be on the Indian territory while the remaining will fall in Bangladesh. Referring to this, the CM said, “The new rail link in another two years will promote tourism from across the borders.”
A government official posted at the border said, “Almost 100 people visit here every day. Most of them are locals and State guests unlike the Wagah side in Amritsar where the event is a major tourist attraction and tourism destination. A similar facility will be developed at this point to attract more visitors which will add on to the Tripura tourism. Both the Centre and State in coordination will work on this INR 90 crore project.”