The sudden collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh has cast uncertainty over crucial trade and connectivity projects in Tripura, threatening the northeastern state’s economic aspirations for the coming year.
The turmoil in the neighbouring nation has jeopardised the operationalisation of the Maitri Setu bridge, the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom, and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link—projects expected to accelerate regional growth and trade.
Setbacks for development projects
The Maitri Setu bridge, inaugurated in March 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, remains non-operational.
Passenger movement through the bridge was scheduled to commence shortly before Bangladesh was plunged into chaos by a student uprising in August, compelling Hasina to resign and flee.
Constructed at a cost of ₹133 crore, the 1.9-km-long bridge over the River Feni in South Tripura’s Sabroom sub-division was envisioned as a vital trade route, linking the Northeast to Kolkata via Chittagong and Mongla ports.
The ₹230-crore Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom, another ambitious project, has similarly been stalled due to political instability in Bangladesh.
The Agartala-Akhaura rail link, inaugurated in November 2023, has also faced delays. This 15-km rail corridor, built at ₹972 crore, is meant to cut travel time between Agartala and Kolkata from 31 hours to 10-12 hours by reducing the distance from 1,559 km to 500 km via Bangladesh.
The political uncertainty has cast doubt over the ₹635-crore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sabroom. Economist Indranil Bhowmik observed: "Local economies have been badly affected.
Limited trade, minimal truckloads of exchange, and downsizing of the hospitality sector are visible in the short run.”
However, he noted optimism regarding the Matarbari Deep Sea Port in Cox’s Bazar, supported by Japanese cooperation, which could sustain India-Bangladesh ties in the long term.
In August, Tripura faced its worst floods in decades, resulting in 38 fatalities and infrastructure losses amounting to ₹15,000 crore.
The state government announced a ₹564-crore relief package, but affected communities await further central assistance.
Communal clashes marred Tripura’s harmony, with violent incidents in Gandatwisa in July and Kadamtala in October, leaving two dead and hundreds homeless.
Further, right-wing activists vandalised the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala in December, triggering diplomatic embarrassment.
On a positive note, the state government and the Centre signed an accord with Tipra Motha, a tribal political party, to address indigenous concerns.
Additionally, hundreds of militants from the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) surrendered, leading Chief Minister Manik Saha to declare Tripura “insurgent-free".
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