Suterkandi trade centre to boost Barak Valley economy

SUTERKANDI (Karimganj), February 19: The opening of Rs 8.16 crore International Trade Centre at Suterkandi on the Indo-Bangladesh border in Karimganj district, is likely to change the socio-economic condition of entire Barak Valley as well as its neighbouring areas. This has been expressed by the people of Karimganj district while disclosing their views regarding the trade centre. The construction of the centre has already been started at the site. Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has laid its foundation stone ceremonially last week. It may be recalled that the Government of Assam sent a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India last year regarding the setting up of an International Trade Centre at Suterkandi. After assessing the necessity of the establishment of the centre, the Government of India approved it under Critical Infrastructure Balance Scheme Project subject to the condition that the Government of Assam provides the necessary land and contributes 20 per cent of the project cost. Longki Phangcho, Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj told The Assam Tribune that the Government of Assam has already handed over 107 bighas of land to the Assam Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (AIIDC). The Surma Trunk Road has been converted to National Highway and one and half kilometre of the road along the border will have two lanes for easy movement of vehicles. Two warehouses will be constructed at the project site and the capacity of each warehouse will be approximately 1300 MT covering an area of 745.20 sq.m. Transhipment platform is proposed to be constructed at available land and the facilities for exporters' and importers' trucks have been provided. The height of the platform will be as high as the truck base for easy loading and unloading. The total area will be provided for transhipment is 4539 sq.m. of which 468 sq.m. area will be covered by the platform. The area provided for the dumping yard of coal is approximately 3500 sq.m. For the measurement of truck load a weigh bridge facility will be provided within the complex of the centre and truck servicing centre, parking area etc will also be provided where parking capacity for 24 trucks has been proposed. Besides construction of main administrative building there will be some other facilities at the site which include quarters for staff, approach road and internal flexible pavement, boundary wall and gate, storm water drainage, internal and external water supply, external electrification, fire protection measures, land scapping and arboriculture etc. This trade centre is a venture of the Government of Assam to rejuvenate the pre-independence period business relation of Northeast with the China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan). This will definitely open up an avenue for the unemployed youths and businessmen of the Valley. This correspondent talked to the people from various walks of life in Karimganj regarding the trade centre. All of them have expressed their satisfaction for the setting up of this centre. Brojo Gopal Bhattacharjee, a retired ACS officer and the editor of local weekly Challenger Barta while speaking about this centre said that this is a very good decision of the Government and urged for its proper implementation.