Centre urged to include Tripura in S Asian trilateral highway system

AGARTALA, April 21? Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has appealed to Union Government to include this land-locked State in the proposed South Asian trilateral highway system linking Thailand, Myanmar and India. Sarkar, who is presently in Delhi in connection with CPM Politburo meeting, met External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Friday and discussed several issues relating to Tripura?s inclusion in the international transport communication network and trade with the neighbouring countries. Sarkar pointed out that recently foreign ministries of India, Thailand and Myanmar agreed to construct a trilateral highway system in the region to boost regional trade and transport among the three countries. Tripura being landlocked in three sides is keen to avail the new road communication facilities. But to connect Tripura with the trilateral highway, the State needs an opening at Chittagong port as well as Ashuganj. Chittagong port is only about 75 km from South Tripura subdivision of Sabrum and can be used as gateway to the highway. From Chittagong port, Bangkok can be connected through sea route. An external affairs statement received here said, Tripura Chief Minister made a strong appeal to the External Affairs Minister for access to Chittagong port and declaration of Ashuganj as a ?port of call? under the ?Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol?. Sarkar has also demanded Centre? help in regards to facilitate. Tripura?s trade with Bangladesh, early operation of Agartala-Dhaka bus service, introduction of Agartala Akhaura rail link and improvement of land customs stations at Raghna bazar at North Tripura and Sabroom in South Tripura. He has also recommended introduction of border trade and granting of long term visas by Bangladesh for businessmen, Tripura Chief Minister pointed out that these were needed to open up a new trade zone in South Asia with the help of proposed Thailand-Myanmar-India highways. External Affairs minister Jaswant Singh assured Tripura Chief Minister that he would take up the matter with Government of India and actively pursue the matters with Dhaka. It may be mentioned here that only recently, the Commerce Secretary level talks in Dhaka between the two countries also addressed border trade and other related issues. Tripura trade secretary L K Gupta also participated in the meeting, Bangladesh has maintained that it would only consider India?s demands if New Delhi withdraws tariff and no tariff barriers for its products and allows 119 items under 25 category. India allowed only 40 items. Dhaka was particularly peeved at the yawning gap in trade between the two countries that ran into several million dollars.